Albert J. Crosson
September 14, 1930 - September 26, 2013
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Albert J. Crosson
September 14, 1930 - September 26, 2013
Obituary
Albert J. Crosson,
Long-Time Orange County Grocery Products Executive and Community Supporter
Albert J. Crosson died in his home in Newport Beach September 26th from complications related to cancer; he was age 83. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Al made his home in Fullerton for over 36 years before moving to Newport Beach in 1996.
Al came to Fullerton in the late 1950’s when he joined the Hunt Foods Company. He would ultimately spend over 30 years spread across two tours of duty with the company, which evolved into Hunt-Wesson Foods and then ultimately the ConAgra Grocery Products Company. Over the years Al grew within the organization to become its President for over ten years. After his retirement, for the next five years, Al served as Vice Chairman of the Board for International Game Technology.
For over 48 years Al was very active in charitable causes throughout Orange County including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. At St. Jude his financial support led to the establishment of the Virginia K. Crosson Cancer Center, which was named in honor of his late wife who pre-deceased him in 1991 after her own bout with cancer.
Al is survived by his wife, Mary (Massie) Crosson of Newport Beach; his four children Bill (Liz), Karen Lutz (Jim), Tim (Marie) and John (Carolyn); as well as his nine grandchildren: Jeff, David, Joe, Andrew, Kelly, Jack, Nick, Casey and Kevin and his step granddaughter, Nicole.
A Memorial Mass for Al will be held at Our Lady Queen of Angeles Church in Newport Beach on Monday, September 30th at 3:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations be directed to the Albert J. Crosson Memorial Fund at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County (www.bigbrooc.org or 714-619-7048). Additional funeral information can be found by contacting O’Connor Mortuary at (877) 872-2736.
7 responses to Albert J. Crosson
Ginny Henry says:
September 27, 2013
Mr. Crosson and I first met at a skateboard ramp when both his boys and mine were big fans of those ramps. He and I got to talking, and he told me that he had worked in the mail room at Hunt-Wesson, and was returning as the President of Frozen Foods. I told him I worked in Foodservice, and we both met again on the 9th floor of the Nutwood facility of Hunt-Wesson Foods. We became great friends, and whenever I saw him no matter where it was, I gave him a hug as I told him hugs were important. When Ginny got sick, I gave him a hand ring rosary for her to hold and pray with during her sickness with cancer. When Ginny passed away, Mr. Crosson gave it back to me, and he told me it gave Ginny great comfort. I met her a couple of times, and she was a lovely and gracious lady. I will offer a Mass up here in Ft. Jones for Al Crosson’s soul. I offer his wife, children, and grandchildren my sincere sympathy.
Paula Saifer says:
September 27, 2013
Mr. Crosson knew my mother first, Pauline Nelson. When I met him for the first time, to actually talk to a President of a Company, was a bit intimidating for me. I always remember him and his wife, Virginia, at the Holiday Christmas Dances, and both of them coming by to say hello, thank you for your hard work, and wishing everyone the best of everything. I would run into him occasionally at doctor’s visits in Fullerton. The last time I saw him and his son, Tim. The new pharmacy building had just been opened and there they were. He remembered me and his kindness will always be very special to us all. A great humanitarian and am deeply saddened by his passing but know that Heaven has another great Angel to watch over us all. Rest in peace. Your contributions will never be forgotten. To his family now, may you find comfort in knowing how many lives he touched and how many people he took care of. God Bless you all.
Rakesh Kaul says:
September 27, 2013
I joined Hunt Wesson in 1976 when I first met Al. It was only 16 years later after we moved to Minneapolis that I really understood where Al’s big heart and optimistic smile was born. He was always amused by the monster COMPAQ PC that I used to lug with me so that I could run his acquisition models but he respected technology and was secretly delighted that the very first PC in Hunt Wesson was being employed by him.
Al made relationships for life. When he visited NY last time he made sure that he reached out to me. Sushma was always very fond of Al and so she came with me. The four of us met for dinner and at the end the check arrived. I reached for it but Al was quicker. In his typical confident voice he said, “I am not taking this with me and at my age I intend to spend it on people I like.”
Al never tired of sharing life lessons that he had learned from Norton and other role models in his life and how they had made him what he was. As a rookie I soaked it all and it is funny that today I share his stories with my sons about Ohio match, Orville Redenbacher, J Hungerford Smith and many other feathers in his cap.
Al, Amar Ho, is a phrase which means Forever Immortal. I cannot think of another person besides you, who I know personally, for whom this would apply. Thank you for being a mentor and may you achieve liberation and bliss. Courage to the Crosson family for whom this will be a grievous loss and yet you will see him with the eye of your heart because that is where Al always resided.
Rakesh and Sushma Kaul
S. Lee says:
September 27, 2013
I want to express my sincere sympathy for the loss of your loved one and I hope the following suggestions help the family members and those who loved Albert J. Crosson to lessen their grief.
“¢ Talk about your feelings to “a true companion” who will listen patiently and sympathetically.
“¢ If you have feelings of guilt thinking that some neglect on your part contributed to your loved one’s death, realize though, that no matter how much we love another person, we cannot prevent “time and unforeseen occurrence from befalling those we love. (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
More than anything else, a relationship with God can help you to cope with the death of someone you love. Isaiah 33:24 promises the time when an end to sickness will become a reality. God will put an end to pain, suffering and even DEATH. God promises at Isaiah 25:8 that death will be swallowed up forever.
Don McNeil says:
September 28, 2013
I just read of Al’s passing and I’m sincerely sorry to hear the sad news. I met Al when I came to Hunt Wesson in 1982 to work in marketing on Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn. Since most of Al’s career was on the sales side and I was a marketing guy, well, you know how those interfaces can be challenging at times! The beauty was, Al never made it that way. He once told me that the only reason he believed that business interfaces should sometimes be confrontational was because it yielded better solutions. It was clear that he simply wanted the best for Hunt Wesson and his passion for the company was unparalleled.
At the time I left in 1993, Al was then president and was traveling and not scheduled to be back until after I was gone, so I booked time with him for when he returned. When we got together, he was very gracious in his appreciation for my service then told me he had recommended me to a friend of his who he said was looking for a senior marketing guy. I felt truly honored that Al would endorse me and have never forgotten his kindness and his unqualified willingness to support me.
To Bill, Tim, Karen and the rest of the Crosson family, I am deeply sorry for your loss and please accept my sincerest condolences; Al will truly be missed.
Don McNeil, Phoenix, AZ