Councillor’s ‘passion’ to serve the people

Bob Cross, a member of the Mansfield Independent Forum, lost his long battle with illness last week, aged 65.

He served the Oak Tree Lane ward for Mansfield District Council between 2003 and 2011 and the Mansfield East ward for Nottinghamshire County Council between 2009 and 2013.

Mr Cross had been diagnosed as a type one diabetic from the age of 11, which had forced him to have kidney dialysis in the last two years of his life.

But wife Lynne insisted it never held him back, particularly when it came to assisting children and the elderly.

“Bob was straight-talking and passionate. He didn’t become a councillor for the politics - he did it to help others,” she said.

“Each councillor was given an amount of money to give to good causes and he was particularly proud of helping to buy a horse for a disabled horse riding school in Rainworth.”

Fellow independent councillor Martin Wright worked with Mr Cross in the Mansfield East ward and added: “Bob was very well respected and everyone who knew him has been distressed to hear of his death.

“He was a man of few words but had a heart of gold and would move heaven and earth for the young and elderly.

“He was disappointed to step down through ill heath from his council work and I remember him passing on enquiries that he had taken while in hospital, which illustrates the dedication he had.”

A funeral for Mr Cross will be held this Friday, 21st February, at 1.15pm at St Lawrence Church, Mansfield before burial at Mansfield Cemetery at 2.15pm.