Claude A. Crosby, 88, formerly of Bear Lake, Pa., died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at the Corry Manor, Corry, Pa.
He was born Jan. 24, 1924, in Columbus Township, Pa., a son of the late Carl and Claudia Kolstee Crosby.
Claude was raised and educated in Losttville, graduating from Lottsville High School in 1942. Following graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II. When he returned to Bear Lake, Pa., he worked at Aero Supply for several years and then at Thompson Maple Products. Claude then worked as a mechanic at Hubbard's Motors in Sherman, N.Y., before owning and operating Crosby's Service Station in Bear Lake from 1963 to the 1980s. He retired in the early 1980s.
He was a member of the Bear Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and enjoyed hunting, working on cars and traveling in their motor home.
In addition to his parents, Claude was preceded in death on May 14, 2009 by his wife, Alma M. Mapson Crosby, whom he married Feb. 3, 1944, in Jamestown, N.Y.; three sisters: Arlene Kent, Carol Burch and E. Mary Smith; four brothers: James, Gerald, Earl and Lyle Crosby; and two grandsons Luke Crosby and Michael Canaan.
Claude is survived by two daughters: Lois Abbot and her husband, Robert, of Sugar Grove, Pa., and Gloria Canaan and her husband, Raymond, of Winder, Ga.; a son, Gary Crosby and his wife, Bonnie, of Corry, Pa.; two sisters: Carlene LeCocq of Seal Beach, Calif., and Ella Mae Gibbs of Ashville, N.Y.; and a brother, Lee Crosby and his wife, Betty, of Bear Lake, Pa. He is also survived by five grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Bracken Funeral Home, 315 N. Center St., Corry, Pa., on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. and attend the funeral service at Bear Lake United Methodist Church, Center Street, Bear Lake, Pa., on Thursday at 1 p.m. Pastor Jean Olsen will officiate.
Burial will be in Bear Lake Cemetery, Bear Lake, Pa.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Chautauqua County, 4840 W. Lake Rod, Mayville, NY 14757; or the Bear Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Center Street, Bear Lake, PA 16402; or Bear Lake United Methodist Church, Bear Lake, PA 16402.
