JACKSONVILLE- Robert A. Crosby Sr., 88, a longtime resident of Collins Road, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, October 29, surrounded by his family. The son of Frank and Marion (Baker) Crosby, he was born in Springfield, MA, on July 21, 1924. He grew up in Springfield and Longmeadow, attending public schools, graduating from Classical High School in 1942 and Mount Hermon School in 1943. Mr. Crosby entered the US Navy during World War II where he served with the Amphibious Forces in the European Theater, participating in the Normandy Invasion.

In 1944 he was selected to attend officers training- V-12 and ROTC at Wesleyan University and Princeton University. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1945, returning to Wesleyan University and graduating with a BA in 1949. He had been a member of Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity.

Shortly after graduation he was hired by Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates in sales. In 1953 he joined Springs Mills Inc. where he was assigned sales territories in New England and Dallas, TX. He moved from salesman to sales manager and then general sales manager, retiring in 1985 as vice president. Prior to retiring to Jacksonville in 1985, he and his wife Luanne resided in Stamford, CT, where they raised their three children.

He loved to play golf and had been a longtime board member of the Deerfield Valley Health Center, a member of the Whitingham-Jacksonville Lions Club, and Jacksonville Community Church.

He leaves his wife Luanne (Mace) Crosby whom he married in 1949; daughter, Diane Crosby, of Wilton, NH; sons Robert A. Crosby Jr., of Marshfield, MA, and Peter Crosby, of Denver, CO; and grandchildren, Tate Elizabeth and Nell Gordon Crosby, of Colorado Springs, CO. He was predeceased by a sister, Priscilla Phillips.

Services will be held at a future date and will be announced at that time. Memorial gifts may be made to Habitat For Humanity, Whitingham-Jacksonville Lions Club or Water Missions in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, PO Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send personal email condolences to the family visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.