John Patrick Crossley

Palmer resident John Patrick Crossley, 49, died at home March 10, 2011, after a short struggle with cancer.

The American Legion and Sons of the American Legion will officiate at memorial services in honor of John at 2 p.m., March 26 at Post No. 15 on Outer Springer Loop in Palmer. A reception will follow the services.

John was born Feb. 21, 1962, in St Paul, Minn., to Richard William and Kathleen Alice (Hoye) Crossley. He worked for Knik Construction Co. in Palmer and was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 302. He had also worked and lived in many of the rural villages in Alaska. John was a member of the Catholic Church and involved with the Sons of the American Legion. He loved hunting and fishing all over the state of Alaska and diving in Cuba.

John and Angie, the love of his life, being adventurous souls, packed up their belongings in a small camper and headed to Alaska from Wyoming in 1999 by way of the Alaska Highway and settled in Palmer. John spent his years in Alaska doing what he loved most —hunting and fishing. Alaska was the land he loved most. Having worked for years as an operator and foreman in the construction business in many villages in Alaska, he worked his last year in Cuba, where he learned to scuba dive. One of John’s foremost loves was good food and he enjoyed cooking for his friends.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Kathleen, and his grandparents.

He is survived by his girlfriend and close friend, Angela Pfeiffer of Palmer; father, Richard Crossley; brothers and sisters-in-law Steve Crossley and his wife Carol, Dave Crossley and his wife Pam, and Jim Crossley and his wife Mary Kay; brothers, Mike and Tom Crossley; sister and brother-in-law, Anne Hennen and her husband Dan; as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.