Greg Zanis, the Aurora carpenter known throughout the country as the man who traveled hundreds of thousands of miles carrying his handmade crosses to scenes of tragedy and loss, wrote a memoir late in his life. Titled The Cross Man – Crosses For Losses, it traces his life from youth to his unique ministry in retirement.
Zanis died of cancer on May 4, 2020.
Told to his high school English teacher, Donna Lee, the paperback book is 231 pages and is available through the Aurora Historical Society online gift shop. It is priced at $23.99 plus tax and shipping. All proceeds will go to the family. “We are honored to do this service for the family,” said society Executive Director John Jaros, who also wrote a tribute to Zanis which appears on the back cover. “Greg showed us all how to be lovingly generous.”
The book sold out as soon as it was released in April and is currently being reprinted. Historical Society vice president Greg Probst said he expects the second order to come in by the end of the week and will organize volunteers to help get them out promptly.
