Harry Crossey dies
Harry S. Crossey, 88, died of a heart attack Dec. 28, 2003, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago IL.
Crossey served as a medic with Company A, 394th. He was in the Battle of the Bulge and earned a Bronze Star. Harry was a past president and life member of the association. He was convention chairman of the Chicago convention in 1967, the first convention of the association to be held in the Midwest.
Crossey's entire work record was with the Sherman House, starting at the age of 15 and continuing to the closing of that hotel in 1973. Rising through the ranks, Harry became general manager of the hotel, which was a Chicago institution. The hotel was the headquarters for the Cook County Democratic Party. The College Inn at the Sherman featured many celebrities in the entertainment field, such as Ben Bernie, Buddy Rogers, and other notables of that period. As general manager, Harry booked the entertainment at the College Inn.
Harry relished his many opportunities to mingle with famous people staying at the Sherman. His two prized possessions were photographs taken with Eleanor Roosevelt and Harry Truman.
Crossey missed only two conventions, the second one and the 2003 convention in Norfolk, which he was unable to attend because of failing health.
In his later years, Crossey was a volunteer with Open Hands, bagging groceries for distribution to people with AIDS.
Harry is survived by Doris Crossey, a sister-in-law, and six nephews and nieces.
Funeral services were held Dec. 27, 2003. Bob Hogan, legal adviser of the association and a longtime friend, represented the 99th.
