Proceeds from 'The Cross Man' memoir go to the Zanis family

Greg Zanis, the Aurora carpenter known throughout the nation 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 at www.aurorahistory.net.

It is priced at $23.99 plus tax and shipping. All proceeds will go to the Zanis 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 soon and will organize volunteers to help get them out promptly.

More information is available on the historical society website or Facebook and Instagram at @aurorahistory.

The Aurora Historical Society, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, gives the past a future by collecting, preserving, interpreting, and presenting the rich, diverse history of Aurora and the surrounding area.