John Richard Crosby

John Richard Crosby, 84, of Hyannis died on Oct. 1, 2026, peacefully at home after battling ALS for 13 years. He was born on May 16, 1942, in Binghamton, N.Y., to the late Elizabeth and Jack Crosby and is survived by Johanna Crosby, his devoted wife and soulmate; his loving sister, Beverly Sheredy, and niece Lisa Sheredy, both of Sykesville, Md.; and his niece Sue Sheredy of Odenton, Md.

John enjoyed physical labor and worked as a construction worker and self-employed landscaper.

A natural athlete, John played for the Yarmouth team of the Cape Cod Baseball League in the 1960s. He volunteered to serve as a combat medic in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and U.S. Army Commendation Medal. He earned an associates degree from Empire State College in Human Services and was a longtime Big Brother for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Binghamton.

John led a simple but meaningful life. He was devoted to living out his Catholic faith by helping his neighbor. During a snowstorm he carried a frail elderly neighbor from her unheated house to the safety and warmth of the home of another neighbor across the street.

His Providence VA medical team was inspired by his “courage, strength and perseverance” in dealing with ALS for 13 years and found it an “honor” to care for him. He touched the lives of others with his empathy, warmth and humor. He’ll always be remembered for his dazzling smile and thumbs-up greeting.

One of his last wishes was to “thank everybody” who took care of him over the years especially his longtime caregivers - Andrew Reghitto, Denae Salmon, Susan Young and “Special Ed” Paron - and his steadfast advocate, Lynn Casey.

You can best remember John by contributing to the charity of your choice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on October 13, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Church, 347 South Street, Hyannis, MA 02601.

Interment with Military Honors will take place at 1:30 pm on October 13, 2026, at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Ave, Bourne, MA 02532.