JONATHAN (JON) CROSBY
1940 – 2026
THE funeral of a former Mounted Branch Police Officer from Harperley Hall was held in St Catherine’s church, Crook on Wednesday March 11th.
The cortege entered under a guard of honour created by 16 members of Crook Freemasons, to the tune of ‘Portrait of my Love’, sung by Matt Monroe. Canon Ann Anderson made the welcome to the large congregation, followed by opening prayers.
The first hymn, ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ was sung, accompanied by the organist and Canon Ann read from John (14-1-6), ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled…do not be afraid…’
She then spoke words of comfort, giving a synopsis of John’s long life, beginning with his birth in Bowden Close, near Helmington Row where he was one of eleven children. After school – in Helmington Row – Jon started his working life as a forester but an unfortunate accident resulted in the loss of a little finger. He then became employed by Durham County Council as a gardener. He met his future wife, Ann, when he was 26 and she was 24 and after just nine months of courtship, they married in St Paul’s church, Waterhouses. They spent their honeymoon in a little cottage near Whitby.
They made their first home in Durham City. When Jon was 29 years old, he joined Durham Constabulary and was posted to Consett after completing his training. In 1973, their first child, Louise was born – Ann being taken to the hospital in a Police car! From Consett, the family moved to Toronto and Jon joined the Police Dog section. Later, he joined the Mounted Branch at Harperley Hall where the family moved to live in 1976 and have done ever since – just over 50 years. It was where their son, John was born.
John and Louise remember their dad as being a gentle man, an ‘absolutely perfect’ father who never raised his voice or ever uttered a swear word. There were many magical moments throughout their childhood and he taught them many things like how to identify edible mushrooms and took them blackberrying, enjoying all the countryside had to offer. He spent lots of time with his children, taking them to clubs and groups like the Young Farmers, sporting matches – he was known as the ‘family taxi’. He lived for his family, ensuring they did well at school, going on to university and becoming massively proud of their achievements.
At work at Harperley Hall where he was the sergeant in charge of the branch, the children would accompany him on weekends, helping to much out the stables and clean the tack. They enjoyed many holidays at home and abroad. In fact, Jon’s Police service covered many aspects – he began as a Bobby on the beat, to the Mounted Branch, the dog section and then finally back to the Mounties from where he would eventually retire.
Jon Crosby was universally known as a ‘gentleman – and a gentle man – a good husband and father’, a knowledgeable gardener and a leek judge. In 1995, after almost 30 years as a Police Officer, he retired but didn’t stay idle for long and signed up to work at Binchester Roman Fort, a part of history he was very interested in. He also worked at the Leonard Cheshire Home in Crook where he was very much appreciated as a driver/handyman, giving it his all to both staff and residents.
‘We remember a man who simply loved his family more than anything, a man who lived his life with Christian values, always trying to do his best for everyone,’ continued Canon Ann. ‘In his working life, Jon witnessed many gruesome scenes but few shocked him more than when Ann had a fall and broke her arm in 2015. They were married for 59 years with their diamond wedding anniversary approaching this September. ‘
Canon Ann then invited Jon’s son, John, to give his own memories and he bravely stepped up to share them. He said his father led a long and happy life and continued to speak about his likes, including fish and chips, horses, steam trains as well as sheds! John painted a picture of a man – the perfect husband and father – who lived his life just for them. He quoted the late Queen Elizabeth when he said grief was the price we pay for love, ending with how grateful they all were to have had Jonathan Crosby as a husband and father.
Canon Ann continued the service with more prayers and comments on the sermon from ‘John’ before the second hymn, ‘Jerusalem’, which was very apt for a gardener, a public servant who loved his country and always did his best. He did his bit and more for England’s green and pleasant land.
After the Commendation, the cortege left to ‘Green, Green Grass of home’ By Tom Jones. The service continued with Psalm 121 and Committal at Willington Cemetery.
