Burt D. Cross

Burt Douglas Cross, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 25, in Tiverton, Rhode Island, leaving behind a profound legacy of devotion to family.

Born on February 2, 1939, to parents Jack and Peggy Cross, Burt was shaped early by his father's intellectual curiosity and his mother's kindness and grace.

A graduate of Teaneck High School, Burt distinguished himself as both a scholar and athlete, playing and captaining the football and basketball teams and breaking records as a pole vaulter. Burt continued pole vaulting as captain of the team at Columbia University, where he graduated in 1961 with a major in Zoology. He later went on to earn a Master's degree from Seton Hall University.

In 1966, Burt married Susan "Susie" Lee Milburn, with whom he moved to Barrington, Rhode Island where they had two children, Jeff and Dana, and shared many happy years before her untimely passing in 1983.

In 1984, Burt met and married Patricia "Tricia" Nelson Jones, with whom he shared 42 wonderful years. Together, they raised Jeff Cross, Jules Johnston, Jay Jones, Dana Cross, Tim Jones, and Casey Harris - and built an extraordinarily close‑knit family whose frequent gatherings were Burt's greatest source of joy.

Burt is survived by Tricia, the six children they raised together and their spouses - each of whom Burt treasured, his sister Bonnie Burns, his sister‑in‑law June Cross, and many extended family members and dear friends.

Burt was both a much beloved and enormously proud grandfather to fourteen grandchildren, each of whom brought him immense joy. He took every opportunity to engage and coach Carly, Jake, Aidan, Finn, Cole, Ghost, Ian, Izzy, Mason, Zack, Fabienne, Wes, Will, and Fiona, as well as honorary granddaughters Emma and Caitie.

Second only to his dedication to family was Burt's love of boating on Narragansett Bay. He also had an abiding passion for photography, through which he expressed his keen eye for beauty, patience, and storytelling. Photography was not merely a pursuit, but a language through which he shared his perspective and preserved memories for others.

Burt was a lifelong learner and avid traveler, visiting China twice and traveling extensively throughout Europe and the US. A self‑taught maker of many things, Burt delighted in woodworking, cooking and building massive kites. He was also an amateur botanist, family‑famous for his impressive tulip gardens. A ferocious reader, Burt committed his professional life to academia, spanning both teaching and administration, ultimately retiring as Director of Records at Rhode Island College.

Above all, Burt will be remembered as a man of steadiness, kindness, and intellectual curiosity-a loving husband, a guiding presence, and a grandfather whose pride in his family was ever present. His legacy lives on in the values he modeled, the moments he captured, and the family he cherished.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the many doctors and caregivers who have been so compassionate and supportive these last many months.

Calling hours will be held at Connor's Funeral Home, 55 West Main Rd., Portsmouth, Rhode Island, at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 191 County Rd., Barrington, Rhode Island.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Cure Alzheimer's Fund, which pledges 100% of donor contributions to research in search of a cure for the disease that afflicts his beloved wife, Tricia.