Winfred “Fred” Crosby was a devoted husband, father of three, and U.S. Air Force veteran. He was also a builder — of things, memories, and a family life rooted in faith, hard work, and love.
After he retired, Fred began battling an ongoing cough and shortness of breath. Assuming he had come down with pneumonia or chronic allergies, Fred went to the doctor for testing.
His diagnosis of the aggressive, asbestos-caused cancer mesothelioma shocked his close-knit family, who rallied together to support him.
“When we first got Fred’s diagnosis, the doctor gave us 6 months. But God was good, and he gave us another 2 years.”
— Anita Crosby, wife of mesothelioma warrior Fred Crosby
Learn more about how the Crosby family helped Fred get the right diagnosis and treatment, and the steps they took to give him peace of mind and security in his final years.
A Gearhead With an Unexpected Diagnosis
Fred and his wife of over 60 years, Anita, were high school sweethearts. After they married, they raised their family together on a farm in South Carolina.
Fred was a pillar of his community, teaching and coaching at local schools and serving at the family’s church. He was also an auto mechanic by nature and by heart.
“He referred to himself as a gearhead,” said his son Mike. “He loved to work on things, and when he started something, he didn’t like to quit until he finished.” That love of fixing things extended to every corner of his life, from Air Force jet engines to the old cars that still sit in his shop today.
“We see those cars and immediately think of Dad,” said his daughter Terri. “We can still see him working on them and cleaning them up, getting them ready for car shows.”
But unknown to Fred, his love of mechanics may have unintentionally been what exposed him to asbestos, a toxic mineral used in the production of machinery parts like brake pads and gaskets. Manufacturers knew the harm asbestos could cause and continued to use it for their own gain.
“People need to be aware of what asbestos will do to you, because when we were growing up, it was common. We never even knew that there was [cancer] related to asbestos.”
— Anita Crosby, wife of mesothelioma warrior Fred Crosby
Learn how families like the Crosbys navigated life with mesothelioma in our Free Survivors Guide, full of insightful and inspiring stories.
Fighting for Answers After Chronic Symptoms
Fred was just 18 when he joined the U.S. Air Force, working as a B-52 jet engine mechanic. He worked on those jet engines daily, not knowing that the cowlings and insulation were full of asbestos.
That exposure decades earlier, combined with years of brake work and home renovations, eventually stole his breath, his strength, and, ultimately, his life.
“That particular year, Dad seemed to just have really bad congestion, a really bad cough,” Terri said. “And COVID-19, of course, was a scare at that point, too.”
Fred visited the urgent care center, where X-rays were taken. His family doctor called and said they saw a spot on his lungs, and from there, he went to the hospital with pneumonia-like symptoms. His thoracic surgeon later gave him the diagnosis of mesothelioma, confirming the family’s worst nightmare.
“You would think something as serious as mesothelioma, the doctors could just spot it at the first visit,” Mike said. “But it didn’t work out that way. He had many tests and many visits.”
The whole family was shocked and had never even heard of mesothelioma until Fred’s diagnosis.
“We just bonded together as a family and faced it the only way we knew how,” Terri said. “And Dad did the mesothelioma treatments for us — he was a fighter, so he wouldn’t give up.”
Finding Peace of Mind With Financial Support
Fred was initially given six months to live. Although he went on to outlive that prognosis, it was a deeply challenging time for the whole family, having to come to terms with losing control.
“He didn’t fret so much about dying, but he did fret that first couple of months about who was going to take care of Mom, who was going to take care of the place, and who was going to take care of all the things that had to be repaired on the farm,” said Mike.
Treatments were also expensive, and the Crosby family wanted as much time as possible with Fred. They decided to pursue mesothelioma compensation for what happened to him.
“We filed a mesothelioma lawsuit because we were concerned that we would need money to get through the financial repercussions of the disease,” Mike said. “I was happy that Dad had peace of mind knowing that the money was there to take care of mom before he died.”
The family worked with top mesothelioma law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy, Mesothelioma Hope’s legal partner.
“The legal team made it easy for us because they handled everything. We didn’t know what to expect. That’s why we hired somebody who knew how to navigate that system.”
— Terri Crosby Cole, daughter of mesothelioma warrior Fred Crosby
Fred’s legacy is built not just in memories but in the physical places he left behind — the farm he built, the pond he dug, the classic cars he restored.
Now, when his family walks out to the pond, starts up the ’57 Chevy, or hears one of the grandchildren laughing, they feel him there.
Get Support Through a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
At Mesothelioma Hope, we’re proud to help mesothelioma patients and their family members understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and financial support resources.
Our team is here to:
- Provide emotional support and a listening ear
- Help you get connected to top doctors
- Locate a support group nearby or join one online
“A big part of my job is helping people understand their options. You don’t have to figure this all out alone.”
– Liz Logan, RN, Oncology Nurse Navigator & Patient Advocate
Contact our team of Patient Advocates now for free help and support.
