Winfield G. Nantais

Winfield G. Nantais, “The Cross Man”, of Wilderville died Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at his home. He was 89 years old. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, May 10, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 224 NW D Street with Pastor Jim Boston officiating and Pastor Steve Parker assisting. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to either St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or Lovejoy Hospice.

Win, as known to his friends, was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on October 22, 1918. He was the youngest of five children. He served in the Canadian Navy in the North Atlantic for five years and was decorated. On April 22, 1944 he married Elsie Anglin. They were married for over 59 years before her death in 2003.

After serving in the Navy, Win worked as an Ironworker in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. In November 1956 they moved to the United States where he worked in Structural Steel in Palmdale, California until retiring to Grants Pass in 1972. He became an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and spent some time serving on the vestry.

Win was a master carver and spent much of his life making unique woodcarvings using different types of wood. Later he began carving crosses exclusively, which became his ministry and was featured in the Daily Courier. He became known around Grants Pass as “The Cross Man”. He loved the Lord, so his mission was to see his crosses in as many countries as possible, which he did as he received thank you notes from recipients all over the world.

He loved living in the United States and became a US Citizen on his 85th birthday. In addition to his love of woodcarving, Win enjoyed camping with the church RV group, Fishing, and Hunting. He had a successful Deer hunt two days after his 89th birthday.

Survivors include, a son Brian Nantais of Wilderville, daughters Linda Garrabrant and Wendy Stout of Eagle River, Alaska, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. And many more that called him Dad.