BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Bangor City Officials announced the new Bangor arena will be called the "Cross Insurance Center" after the Cross Insurance Agency in Bangor bought naming rights to the arena last week.

Founded in 1954 by Woodrow Cross, the Bangor business has grown to Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with clients such as the Kraft family's New England Patriots.

Woodrow Cross grew up in Bradford, Maine, where he helped his father run the family general store.

After serving in the Army in World War II, Woodrow came back to Bangor to start a new business venture in insurance.

He worked odd jobs on the side while he was getting started, even working to build the old Bangor Auditorium, testing concrete.

At 95 years old, Woodrow is at an age where most people are well into their retirement, but he still has an office at the Bangor location.

"My dad is still here a full day," said his son and Cross Insurance Vice President Brent Cross.

"He gets in between 6:30 and 7:00 every morning, and stays until five, and then on Saturdays we work half a day."

When asks why he hasn't retired, Brent said he jokes about it, but says his father "doesn't see a future in retiring."

Woodrow Cross does, however, see a future in Bangor, which is why he had his company purchase the naming rights to the new arena, scheduled to open in the fall of 2013.

"He has a real American success story," said Brent. "It's a great story, and we're very proud of him and how hard he's worked over the years."

NEWS CENTER