Obituary – Alan Cross

Born in Leeds and educated in Switzerland, Mr Cross started his career as an apprentice wood machinist with Curtis & Sons, a prominent shopfitting company in Leeds. He then joined Keirnan Building Contractors from where he moved in the early 1970s to join Erkulis Brothers Joiners and Shopfitters to take charge of the joinery shop.

In 1975 Mr Cross was instrumental in Erkulis’s purchase of Noberne Doors Ltd which he, together with his business partner Brian Agar, went on to buy from Erkulis.

Mr Cross was very focused on his business vision and, together with Brian Agar’s financial acumen, set a firm foundation for the business that Noberne Doors is today. Mr Cross saw the opportunities in the construction industry for well-made bespoke timber fire doors and this became a keystone of the company’s business.

In 1990 Mr Cross and a small group of companies, all members of TRADA’s Quality Assurance Scheme for timber fire doors, formed ASDMA to support and promote the timber fire door industry. Mr Cross took on the role of chairman, a post which he only stepped down from early last year.

Mr Cross had an intuitive ability to get the measure of people and to make the best of opportunities. He was a person to whom colleagues and friends alike would go for advice and encouragement and many benefited from his wisdom and can-do attitude.

He also embraced life to the full. He was a warm-hearted and generous friend who loved to socialise and was frequently to be found at the centre of any gathering.

Those who knew Mr Cross as a friend and colleague have had their lives enriched through knowing him, and will have many happy memories of time spent in his company.