Former city councilman and school board member Pat Crossin, who waged a courageous struggle with lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system, passed away Thursday morning. Crossin owned and operated Phillips Fuel Systems on the city’s West Side. He was 60.
Quick-witted, opinionated, and loyal to friends in and out of politics, Crossin won a seat on the Board of Education in 2009. For several years he had experienced quality health and believed he was cancer free. In the last months of 2010, however, Crossin felt fatigued and had difficulty functioning through board meetings. He resigned from the board.
Symptoms of lymphoma had returned and Crossin resumed intensive chemotherapy treatments for many months regaining some health quality.
Crossin, a regular reader of OIB, only posted comments occasionally but enjoyed the give and take from readers, even when he was the subject of stinging criticism.
Crossin often featured an animated wail when speaking. When he called for a phone conversation often times there was no salutation from him, he simply got to the point. “That’s the funniest freaking thing I’ve ever read!” And then he’d go off on a subject for minutes at a time. When he was done he’d just hang up. That was Pat.
He never lost his sense of humor when ill. Many years ago, he said, “I’m sick and need a blood transfusion. I want your blood so I can transform into a public-relations guy.”
In 1991, running with Auden Grogins, Crossin was elected to the City Council representing the 130th District that includes the Black Rock neighborhood. Grogins and Crossin became a mighty duo for the district serving the entire decade. Crossin served as head of the Budget and Appropriations Committee during the mayoral era of Joe Ganim when the city experienced 10 straight years of no tax increases.
Pat’s survivors include his wife Peggy and three daughters.
A memorial service will take place March 21, 10 a.m. in St. Ann’s Church in Black Rock.
My deepest condolences to Peggy and the girls. I served with Pat since his election to the City Council and I can attest to his impeccable understanding of detail and every aspect of business that came across our desks. He was a no-nonsense guy, yet warm if he liked you, loyal and you never saw his wit coming. He was an example of a loyal husband, completely engaged father, and the hope of what the citizens may see again; members of the City Council with the dedication and commitment Pat had to the City of Bridgeport. We’ll all miss you Pat, but you leave us with so many memories!
Pat was a wonderful, wonderful guy. Big heart, kind heart and funny–always funny. I’ll miss his warmth, humor and always remember how he loved his family.
I am saddened to hear about Pat’s passing, he was a great Councilman and Board of Ed member. Our prayers go out to his family! RIP, my brother!
As a resident of Black Rock during these years I probably voted for Crossin and Grogins. And so I thank him for his efforts of integrity in public service and pray he rests in peace. Fighting cancer courageously takes so much from you and from those closest to you.
However, Lisa attests “to his impeccable understanding of detail and every aspect of business that came across our desks. He was a no-nonsense guy, yet warm if he liked you.” I hazard to say Pat did not like me as I never got to see or feel his warmth. Even guys with great senses of humor do not like people to ask questions about subjects that are “delicate” to them.
I have been in the insurance business for 50 years and was very interested in the Ganim administration life insurance purchased by the City for a handful of top people. To this day I never could get to the level of detail I wished. The $1 Million had moved from the Harbormaster’s account to fund life insurance, a strange voyage for sure, and questions never really were answered on how such a plan was approved, and then funded. Protection may have been sold and issued but it soon collapsed. Whether the City had any expense at the end of the day was not revealed. And whether the City sent out 1099s regarding additional income for the period in question also was never answered, even in the first days of John Fabrizi’s term. Open, accountable and transparent governance would not have permitted that to happen. People need to face consequences for their harmful activity or else further corruption is likely.
Our protection of the handling of City money is very low today. If Crossin were a Chair of Budget and Appropriations when the insurance and other issues were bubbling, today we have another Black Rock resident, Sue Brannelly, as co-chair of that same committee. I am curious to hear what Lisa might opine of Sue. Were she to put her on the same level as Pat Crossin, featuring an “impeccable understanding of detail,” then I will guess many things never hit the respective desks of either Chair. There is too much detail that is unreviewed, unmonitored, and desperately in need of audit and regular oversight. Time will tell.
John. Not sure if this is a message of sympathy or some convoluted criticism of my brother-in-law but I wish you could just give it up for one day out of respect for my sister and our good friend Sue Brannelly.
Jack,
When is it a good time for you to weigh in on such a subject? You know my phone number, see my face on occasion, but avoid having any serious discussion about what folks you have known for years, perhaps some who are family have done during their “public service.” When we pass, everything becomes legacy and as Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar, “the good is oft interred with their bones.”
I pray Pat Crossin rests in peace as I said above. He fought a courageous fight. That was a part of his life and memory for those who knew him.
I reference another part of his life that was also of public note. You know I have been raising issues for about five years in the CT Post, on Only In Bridgpeport, and at City Council meetings. If you have some answers to the questions I have been asking, let’s talk. My comments are meant to keep important questions about our civic governance by those who may be family, friends or strangers out in the open. (It was not directed at Pat’s wife or family certainly. I have added them to my daily prayer list because of their loss.)
At the same time I question the incident that looms as mystery in the community today. Perhaps you can dispel said mystery, or Sue Brannelly? Time will tell.
It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt!
Pat, it was an honor to know you!
RIP Pat Crossin.
Ditto, JML.
RIP Pat. His greatest political win was in the 1994 gubernatorial primary. He backed Bill Curry and won over John Larson.
I only served with Pat Crossin on the BBOE for a short period of time, and we were completely on opposite sides when it came to most BBOE issues, however I am sorry to hear of his passing.
Loss is painful and it is hard to believe in the immediate aftermath that the pain will ever lessen, but I can attest to the fact time will help heal the pain of such a significant loss.
My sincere condolences to his wife, children, family and friends.
My cousin Pat cared about Bridgeport and wanted success for the city. He knew it would be a hard task turning the city around and had he been in better health he would have worked as hard as was needed to make Bridgeport a great city again for all the people, poor or rich. Pat wanted only the best for the city and everyone living here. I will miss him, he was a great friend and cousin.
I met and knew Pat when I was serving on P&Z. He was a swell guy, full of information and friendly.
So sorry to hear of his passing.
Wishing his family Peace and know he is at Peace and pain free.
Pat was cocky and loved to play the game. He could dish it out, but more importantly he could take it. He graduated from the University of South Carolina. He was a real Gamecock!
I am so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. We always had a good relationship. He was a good man who loved Black Rock and he will be missed. My condolences to the entire Crossin family, Peggy most especially who worked on a number of campaigns with me, should there be anything we could be of assistance with please do not hesitate.
I would also like to send my condolences to the Crossin family. I served on the BOA with Pat many, many, many moons ago.