G. Tracy Cross of Barrington, IL and Sister Bay, WI passed away on May 29, 2026 at the age of 80.
Tracy was born to George and Violet Cross on July 7, 1945 in Atlanta, GA. Tracy grew up in Denver, CO and excelled in athletics. He was awarded a baseball scholarship to pitch at Santa Clara University and he recently summed up his career like this; "At Santa Clara University I ranked first in the number of walks allowed in a single season(1966), my ERA was the highest among all pitchers in the school's history. Most opponents truly looked forward to facing me as I was known for giving up at least one gopher ball every two or three games. From my stellar athletic career at SCU I turned out of necessity to academics." Tracy earned a B.S. degree in Economics from Santa Clara University and then a Master's degree in Regional & Urban Economics from UCLA.
He began his career in real estate with the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington D.C. He then moved to a firm in California and then Chicago which has been home for more than 50 years. In 1980 he branched out on his own founding Tracy Cross and Associates a real estate consulting and feasibility company focusing primarily in the residential sector. The firm became and still is nationally known as the "Homebuilders Crystal Ball".
Door County, WI held a special place in his heart and he spent many summers at his home in Sister Bay. An avid outdoorsman, he cherished time spent boating, fishing and hunting with his son and grandchildren. He loved all sports, especially golf and anything Purdue, his youngest child's alma mater.
Tracy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Mary, children Tim(Bobette) of Mequon, WI, Andy(Rachel) of Chicago, IL and Colin of Richardson, TX, grandchildren Ryann and Declan of Mequon, WI, and his many colleagues at Tracy Cross and Associates who were like family to him.
A private celebration of life will be held on the waters of Green Bay at one of his favorite fishing "honey holes" later this summer, where his famous beef stroganoff and Old Style might be on the menu.
