Memories of Dennis Cross
Friend: I admired his dedication, discipline
I came to know Dennis through his wife, JoAnn. My wife Patti met JoAnn by signing up for her aerobics class. She later became an instructor with JoAnn. We became friends with JoAnn and eventually took ballroom dancing lessons from her.
I remember going over to Dennis and JoAnn's house for Christmas gatherings, barbecues and other nights of friendly conversation. JoAnn was always the more outgoing and lively of the pair. Dennis was more quiet and less inclined to be outspoken. I related to his personality as it was closer to mine.
I found Dennis to be thoughtful, talented with power tools, very dedicated to his wife and family, interested in the world and learning about many things. I admired his dedication and disciplined way in which he conducted his life. I saw his workouts in the gym and he shamed all the younger guys.
I enjoyed the time we went sailing on his sailboat and hoped that some day that I might get to spend more time with Dennis. I was in the office on the day that America was attacked. I was confused about what had happened and then knew that it was an attack when the second tower was struck. I thought that this was like the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. What would I do? I went to get water for the workers at Ground Zero. I volunteered to go to Ground Zero and didn't realize how horrible the conditions were and how the authorities were keeping everyone away from the scene.
Dennis rushed to the disaster. We heard from JoAnn that Dennis was missing. I sent a hard hat in on the truck I was loading with supplies and wrote "Find Dennis Cross" across the brim. Maybe I knew at that time that it was futile. I am still angry that Dennis was killed by the maniacs that attacked American soil that day. I have Dennis's story from Newsday on my bulletin board. I look at it every day. I am proud to have known Dennis. I can only hope to carry his calm, cool and controlled demeanor with me. I hope that he can inspire me to be half as good a man as he was.
Tommy Marquardt, East Islip
Brother: 'The pain never goes away'
Since that awful day 9/11/2001, not a day goes by that I don't think about Dennis.
Dennis was my younger brother and we had a wonderful life together with my sister, Ginny, under the excellent supervision of our mom & dad.
My dad was also a member of the FDNY. I remember him taking me as a young kid to his firehouse, Ladder 131 in Red Hook Brooklyn, and showing me how to slide down the pole etc. My Dad died at age 47, the day after fighting a very difficult fire in March of 1955. My mom had to take over, and she did a fantastic job, which was not easy at times.
Back to Dennis. We grew up together having the same interests and he was a great brother.
I was so proud of him when I picked him up at Kennedy Airport, when he returned from Vietnam, where he served in the U.S. Army.
I was also so proud of him when he became a NYC fireman, following my dad's footsteps.
I always made sure to watch him march by every Year in the New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade with his good friend, fellow firefighter Brian O'Flarity.
Dennis truely loved his job but he also had time for his other loves, such as sailing and golf. I accompanied him on occasion.
I knew he had hopes of retiring when he reached 40 years of service. He did get the chance to see his son, Brian, become a member of FDNY and Dennis just wanted a little more time to guide Brian on becoming a fireman, the Dennis Cross way.
As Dennis' older brother, I miss him very much, and the pain never goes away. I think of Dennis every day and at times I get a feeling that he is right next to me, especially when I look at his picture next to my computer.
Unfortunatly we were never able to spend some of our retirement years together.
Love Ya Brother!
Charlie Cross, North Babylon
Sister: Our love still warms my heart
I truly feel I was blessed to be Dennis' sister. Of course in our early years growing up there were times I would not have said that. But over the years I have witnessed seeing Dennis become a God-loving, well-respected family man, citizen, friend, athlete and fireman. He did it all with great style and humility. To read the messages from others who knew him and their kind words only enforces what I know to be true.
My dear brother Dennis, how I now treasure all those pieces of time we shared together. I have learned that even though death physically separated us that our love for each other still warms my heart. Till we meet again. Love, Your sister Ginny.
Ginny Fredriksen, Manorville
