Frank W. Crossland, 75, Was Active in Civic Life

Frank Wallace Crossland died Monday, June 16, at Falmouth Hospital. He had been successfully treated for cancer a year ago, but recent complications developed. Wally, as he was known, was 75.

Wally was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and grew up in Mt. Lebanon where he was graduated from high school. He then joined the United States Navy and saw active duty in the Mediterranean from 1946 to 1948. After serving in the Navy, he attended Waynesburg College in Waynesburg, Pa., and then the University of Pittsburgh. He was graduated with a B.S. in engineering from the University of Miami at Coral Gables, Fla., in 1953.

He was employed at U.S. Steel Corp. in management long range planning for 14 years and then joined Blaw-Knox Corp. of Pittsburgh in steel sales.

Wally and his wife spent two years on the Vineyard before moving to Clearwater Beach, Fla., where he was national sales manager for Island Packet Sailboats and later national sales manager for Allmand Sailboats. He and his wife and son, Alan, returned to the Vineyard and have lived here for the past 17 years. He was elected to the Edgartown planning board in 1989 and served until 1991. He had been an active member of the Rotary International in Washington Crossing, Pa., and joined the Rotary here. He was president in 1993 and 1994 and was named a Paul Harris Fellow.

Wally was an avid fisherman, loved golf, hunting and cooking and most of all he loved Martha's Vineyard and living here.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne (Bowden) Crossland, whom he married 52 years ago; his son, Mark and his wife, Bernadette, son Kurt and son Alan and his wonderful grandchildren, Kyle, Keith, Zoe, and Kane, Mark and Bernie's children; Kristina and Joshua, Kurt's children; and Caitlin, Alan and Jody Drake's daughter. He also had five step-children, Joe, Shaun, James and Luke DePriest and Nick Drake.

A graveside service will be held at New Westside Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 5. Following will be a gathering of family and friends for a celebration of life at Mark Crossland's home at 459 County Road, Oak Bluffs.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lifeline Pilots, 6100 Dirksen Parkway, Suite 307, Peoria, IL 61607 or to an organization of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs.