Irving F. Spencer
Bangor
Irving Francis Spencer, 88, died peacefully on October 27, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 27, 1934, in Bangor, the son of John “Fred” and Josephine (Thompson) Spencer.
He worked at Bangor Roofing & Metal Co. before joining the United States Marine Corpe and served in the Korean War. After coming home from the service, he worked for the Bangor Water District until joining the Bangor Fire Department in 1963 and served 20 years before retiring as a Lieutenant in 1983. While serving with the fire department, he started his plumbing business, Spencer Plumbing, which he grew into a very successful business until he sold it to his son-in-law Steve Leighton and finally retired for good. He owned several apartment buildings over the years that he would renovate from the ground up and took pride in them so he could offer nice affordable housing. He also loved to “flip” houses. He fondly told of all the times, as a young boy, he would go with his father “junking” – they would travel around town buying up stuff that was broken or no longer wanted then take it home, fix it up and sell it. This stayed with him throughout his life as a hobby he loved. He was always the first to get Uncle Henry’s Swap and Sell and be at the “good” yard sales before anyone else to snag the best deals. He could fix and refurbish anything from antiques or furniture to small engines, motorcycles or boats! If he wasn’t working, he could always be found in his barn, listening to his country music and puttering on his finds. However, if he was able to spend time with family, that was always top priority for him.
In April of 1955, he met the love of his life, Sondra McKusick. They got engaged in May and married in June of the same year – it was love at first sight for the both of them. That was the beginning of their 68-year marriage and the true love story that they shared until her recent passing in July. Their love for each other and their family was such an inspiration to everyone that knew them. Above all else, family was the most important thing in his life. Dad always made sure life was fun, especially for the kids, and that leaving memories was just as important.
The many memories he and Mom created over the years live on in the lives of so many; young and old, friend or family. Fun events for all of the kids in the "old neighborhood," summers at camp, family reunions and gatherings at their home of 47 years on Essex Street.
He loved his family deeply, and above all else. He devoted his entire life to his wife and three girls, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was loved and adored by everyone for his kindness and generosity. He was loving, strong, wise; had a great sense of humor that was uniquely his and will be deeply missed by all. His greatest love was being at home spending time with family. He loved his music, animals, kids, watching the birds and feeding the squirrels and holding hands with Mom – Mom always said he would rub her hands so hard “he must be trying to rub the wrinkles off!”
Irving is survived by his daughters, Dawn Conery and husband, Ed; Lynn Owen and husband, Brad; Gayle Craig and husband, Wayne; five grandchildren, Sandi Emmons Stahl, Tyler Emmons, Chad Tracy, Jason Leighton, and Christopher “Cal” Leighton; and twelve great-grandchildren, Kamrynn, Ashlynn, Leighton, Sondra Mae, Layne, Lexi, Jaslynn, Kayden, Spencer, Carson, Chase, and Paislee; sisters, Mary Worcester, Priscilla Candellari, and Sharon Clark; and several nieces, and nephews.
The family wishes to offer heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Memory Care Unit at the Maine Veteran’s Home in Bangor for the loving care they provided.
In addition to his parents, Irving is predeceased by his wife, Sondra J. (McKusick) Spencer; his brothers and sisters, Leonard Spencer, Kenneth Spencer, Ellen Boudreau, Christine Seger, Shirley Kepple, Marjorie Tripp, Loretta Spencer, and Elizabeth “Libby” Spencer and a very special son-in-law, Steven J. Leighton.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, November 2, 2023, with the Rev. Dr. Rex H. Garrett, officiating. Interment will be in the city section of Mt. Hope Cemetery, Severance Rd., immediately following the service. Reception will follow at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com. Donations may be made in his memory to Hose 5 Fire Museum, P.O. Box 25, Bangor, ME., 04401. https://www.bangormaine.gov/hose5
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Irving Spencer, please visit our flower store.
Bangor
Irving Francis Spencer, 88, died peacefully on October 27, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 27, 1934, in Bangor, the son of John “Fred” and Josephine (Thompson) Spencer.
He worked at Bangor Roofing & Metal Co. before joining the United States Marine Corpe and served in the Korean War. After coming home from the service, he worked for the Bangor Water District until joining the Bangor Fire Department in 1963 and served 20 years before retiring as a Lieutenant in 1983. While serving with the fire department, he started his plumbing business, Spencer Plumbing, which he grew into a very successful business until he sold it to his son-in-law Steve Leighton and finally retired for good. He owned several apartment buildings over the years that he would renovate from the ground up and took pride in them so he could offer nice affordable housing. He also loved to “flip” houses. He fondly told of all the times, as a young boy, he would go with his father “junking” – they would travel around town buying up stuff that was broken or no longer wanted then take it home, fix it up and sell it. This stayed with him throughout his life as a hobby he loved. He was always the first to get Uncle Henry’s Swap and Sell and be at the “good” yard sales before anyone else to snag the best deals. He could fix and refurbish anything from antiques or furniture to small engines, motorcycles or boats! If he wasn’t working, he could always be found in his barn, listening to his country music and puttering on his finds. However, if he was able to spend time with family, that was always top priority for him.
In April of 1955, he met the love of his life, Sondra McKusick. They got engaged in May and married in June of the same year – it was love at first sight for the both of them. That was the beginning of their 68-year marriage and the true love story that they shared until her recent passing in July. Their love for each other and their family was such an inspiration to everyone that knew them. Above all else, family was the most important thing in his life. Dad always made sure life was fun, especially for the kids, and that leaving memories was just as important.
The many memories he and Mom created over the years live on in the lives of so many; young and old, friend or family. Fun events for all of the kids in the "old neighborhood," summers at camp, family reunions and gatherings at their home of 47 years on Essex Street.
He loved his family deeply, and above all else. He devoted his entire life to his wife and three girls, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was loved and adored by everyone for his kindness and generosity. He was loving, strong, wise; had a great sense of humor that was uniquely his and will be deeply missed by all. His greatest love was being at home spending time with family. He loved his music, animals, kids, watching the birds and feeding the squirrels and holding hands with Mom – Mom always said he would rub her hands so hard “he must be trying to rub the wrinkles off!”
Irving is survived by his daughters, Dawn Conery and husband, Ed; Lynn Owen and husband, Brad; Gayle Craig and husband, Wayne; five grandchildren, Sandi Emmons Stahl, Tyler Emmons, Chad Tracy, Jason Leighton, and Christopher “Cal” Leighton; and twelve great-grandchildren, Kamrynn, Ashlynn, Leighton, Sondra Mae, Layne, Lexi, Jaslynn, Kayden, Spencer, Carson, Chase, and Paislee; sisters, Mary Worcester, Priscilla Candellari, and Sharon Clark; and several nieces, and nephews.
The family wishes to offer heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Memory Care Unit at the Maine Veteran’s Home in Bangor for the loving care they provided.
In addition to his parents, Irving is predeceased by his wife, Sondra J. (McKusick) Spencer; his brothers and sisters, Leonard Spencer, Kenneth Spencer, Ellen Boudreau, Christine Seger, Shirley Kepple, Marjorie Tripp, Loretta Spencer, and Elizabeth “Libby” Spencer and a very special son-in-law, Steven J. Leighton.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, November 2, 2023, with the Rev. Dr. Rex H. Garrett, officiating. Interment will be in the city section of Mt. Hope Cemetery, Severance Rd., immediately following the service. Reception will follow at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com. Donations may be made in his memory to Hose 5 Fire Museum, P.O. Box 25, Bangor, ME., 04401. https://www.bangormaine.gov/hose5
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Brookings-Smith, Bangor
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Brookings-Smith, Bangor
Interment
Mount Hope Cemetery, City Section
Following the service.
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Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith
Following the service.
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