> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://bklyner.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Neighborly Neighbors: Howard Cross a.k.a. JB - URL: https://bklyner.com/neighborly-neighbors-howard-cross-a-k-a-jb-fortgreene-60a774aebdc2f8385693b1ba/ - Published: 2013-07-30T17:29:58.000Z - Updated: 2013-07-30T17:29:58.000Z - Author: jasonbisnoff - Tags: #API-Imported ![Howard Cross is better known as JB to those who know him well. (By Jason Bisnoff)](http://www.thenabe.me/scripts/loadCDN.php?img=uploads/2013/07/9194801611_156e053135_b-300x224.jpg) Howard Cross is better known as JB to neighbors who know him well. (Photo by Jason Bisnoff) **Howard Cross** 63 years old We caught up with Howard Cross as he walked by Fowler Square holding a cane. Wearing leopard print glasses accompanied by his handlebar mustache, he was hard to miss. We sat down and asked him about living in the neighborhood, his unique style and retirement. **What is your name?** My name is Howard Cross, but my friends call me JB. **How did you get the nickname JB?** Well, do you know how your family gives you a nickname? My sisters gave me this nickname and it just kind of stuck with me. **Where are you from?** Originally North Carolina and I lived in Washington D.C. for over 30 years. I lived here 40 years ago and moved back recently once I was retired. I went to D.C. in 1976\. I was mugged here and stabbed in 1973 and I stayed here three more years then moved. New York had filed bankruptcy in ’73 so I couldn’t get a job. When I moved to D.C. I got a job right away. **When did you move back to New York City?** I have been back here a year living in Fort Green on South Portland \[Avenue\] and Fulton \[Street\]. **What did you do for a living?** I was in accounting in the field of accounts payable. Now I’m retired for the last 3 years. **How do you spend your time now that you are retired?** I do a little sketching, I walk around and I meet people. **Do you enjoy retirement?** I love it. When I retired, it wasn’t because of the job it was because I got tired of the commute. I had to take a bus and two trains. I worked in Virginia and lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. The commute would get to me. I got to the point where I would be grouchy after I got there and that is not my personality. I just decided to retire. **What do you like about this area?** The convenience. You can walk downtown really quick and if you need to go to Manhattan you can take the C train and you are there in 10 to 15 minutes. It is in a great location. **What is your favorite part of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill?** I like this area around Fowler Square. You can walk around here and it’s nice and safe. You can walk in the middle of the night. What I really love about Brooklyn and New York in general is that it is a 24-hour town. If you get hungry you can always find somewhere to go eat. There is such nice variety and soul. It is truly a melting pot. **Any favorite food spots locally?** I like [Academy \[Restaurant\]](https://plus.google.com/112439945039931909308/about?gl=us&hl=en&ref=bklyner.com). They make everything there. It’s a family business and everything is home made. They make the best gyro ever and the cheeseburger is delicious too. They don’t cut short on the extras and it isn’t a frozen burger. **Where did you live the first time you were living in New York?** I lived on Adelphi Street and Fulton still right in this same area. **Are you married?** My wife died. It will be 4 years ago on Christmas Day. **Do you have any children?** I have a son from my first marriage who lives in the Bronx. **Why do you use the cane?** I was hit by a car about 2 years ago, close to 3\. My ankle was broken. About 6 months after it healed, I was coming from work and it jumped out of place. I had to go find a stick in a wooded area to get myself home because I couldn’t put any pressure on it. Every now and then it gives out like that so I keep this around. It is more of a safety blanket. **How long have you worn your facial hair like that?** All my life. I call it the horseshoe but the asians call it fu manchu and they believe it is for luck. I like it this way. I used to wear a goatee but every now and then I got one side crooked so I said “to hell with it.”