John H. Crosby, Sr., 90
John H. Crosby, Sr., age 90, lifelong Acton resident, died at Emerson Hospital on April 24, 2024, after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Rosalie “Roe” (Kneeland) Crosby.
Jack was born in Acton on January 7, 1934, to his late parents, Edwin and Margaret (Sheehan) Crosby. He graduated from Acton High School with the class of 1952 and served in the United States Navy.
After returning from naval service, Jack rejoined the family’s Acton Filling Station built on family land in 1936 when the new four-lane Route 2 bypass was added from the Lincoln line to the Rotary. Known as Crosby’s Corner, Jack soon added on a large addition for full auto repairs with expanded towing services available 23 1/2 hours a day. This lasted for 30 years until his father’s retirement and sale of the property to Mobil Oil to build a modern and current self-service facility. He worked for several years with son Jack at the Goodyear Tire Store in Acton, and after retirement, helped out at son Billy’s Acton sign shop.
In full retirement, Jack and companion Kathleen Gale enjoyed a dozen years sharing a wonderful log cabin home in Hebron, Maine.
In 1952, he was a founding member of the Ty-Rods Hot Rod Club of Acton, and was recently honored with a plaque at the January meeting by fellow members noting his 70-plus years of service and as the oldest surviving member while also celebrating his 90th birthday.
He enjoyed years of membership and serving as president of the Acton Lions Club. Jack was an avid reader and could often be found in his well-equipped woodworking shop at his home.
He was the father of Jack Crosby, Jr. and his wife, Gayle, of Acton; Billy Crosby and Kathy, also of Acton; Ricky Crosby and his wife, Kim, of Darien, Connecticut; and Steve Crosby and his wife, Pamela, of North Grafton and recently in Summerville, South Carolina. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren; a brother, David Crosby, and his wife, Barbara, of Vero Beach, Florida, along with several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s memory may be made to Acton Lions Club, P.O. Box 382, Acton, MA 01742.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Acton. To share a remembrance or offer a condolence in Jack’s online guestbook, visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
