Boat landing dock is a way to memorialize Pat Crosby

In just under three weeks, $5,700 was raised in memory of Pat Crosby (inset) to purchase a dock for the Cornell City Boat Landing. The area sees a lot of boat traffic and friends of Crosby thought a dock would be ideal in that location. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

The Cornell City Boat Landing sees a lot of use each summer, with boats, kayaks and canoes launching from the site, which is why friends of long-time resident Pat Crosby raised money to install a dock at the landing, in Crosby’s memory.

“Having grown up in Cornell, we had a dock down there and I think it got used a lot,” said Phil Hurlburt, classmate and friend of Crosby. “I see a lot of people fishing out in that area and just thought…a dock would be well-used.”

Crosby grew up in Cornell, graduating from high school in 1979. He lived his entire life in Cornell, and was a long-time member of the fire department, of which his father was the chief. He also played an important role in the development of the Mill Yard Park softball field, building a portable irrigation system in the 1980s, to aid in preventing the outfield grass from burning out and dying.

In addition, Crosby helped organize many softball tournaments over the years, as part of his role in the local softball association. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter, and promoted the outdoors to youth whenever possible.

“He was just an all-around great guy,” said Hurlburt. “Everybody has one of those friends they just know they can count on and Pat was just always that guy for everybody he knew.”

Hurlburt says Crosby was always a happy, positive, upbeat person for people, with a lot of creative ideas and good problem-solving. However, in January 2020, Crosby lost his battle with glioblastoma brain cancer.

Wanting to honor his friend, Hurlburt came up with a plan to install a dock in his honor. He then worked with fellow friend and classmate Dave DeJongh, to bring the idea to fruition.

Crosby’s family helped out by raising funds, so much so, that in less than three weeks, they managed to collect enough money to purchase the dock, along with a memorial sign at the site.

There’s even enough money left over to use for something else in Crosby’s honor.

“We’re just really thrilled, and we hope people will use it a lot and take good care of it,” said Hurlburt, “and it’ll last for many, many years, in a nice way to memorialize him.”