Dedicated. Committed. Caring. Concerned. These are just some of the words people use when describing Standish resident Gerald Spencer.
Spencer, 68, surrendered to a long struggle with cancer on Monday. He lived on White’s Point Road.
Well known in the area, Spencer served on the Standish Town Council from 1989 to 1992 and again from 2000 to 2005. Although he resigned in October because of health reasons, he remained very much a part of the council in spirit.
“I know he watched (our meetings) on TV,” said Council Chair Cindy Hopkins. “He was still part of the group.”
Hopkins remembers saying “hi” on camera to Spencer several times during council meetings.
Both Hopkins and Councilor Larry Simpson recall Spencer’s dedication to his constituents and to the town.
“He didn’t just go to his own meetings,” Simpson said. “He attended meetings for committees he wasn’t even on. He just wanted to make sure he kept himself informed”
And that showed in his contributions to the council.
“His experience was very valuable to the council,” Councilor Dolores Lymburner said. “He had a great work ethic.”
Town Manager Gordon Billington considered Spencer “one of the backbones of the Town Council.”
“He devoted his later years to really support the town and the children of the town with the recreation program,” Billington said.
Councilor Jeff Richardson recently returned to the council to fill the seat left vacant by Spencer’s resignation. Richardson categorized Spencer as one of the few politicians – even local politicians – “without an agenda.”
“He just cared,” Richardson said. “He always tried to think of what was going to be the best for the town and for the kids in the town.”
His family remembers his care for them and for others.
“He loved his constituents,” said Spencer’s wife Margaret. “He would talk to anybody who called him.”
And Spencer’s daughter Beth Spencer Woodhead recalls her father’s loving attention to his grandchildren.
“He was an absolutely devoted grandfather,” she said. “He went to all their sporting events.”
Spencer grew up in Auburn, graduating from Edward Little High School in 1955. He worked for Central Maine Power from 1957 until his retirement in 1995.
Memorial visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Road, in Windham. A celebration of his life will be held at the Auburn Methodist Church, 439 Park Ave., Auburn, on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 12 noon, following visitation there from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
The Gerald Spencer Fund, a scholarship through the Standish Recreation Department, has been set up by his family with the purpose of helping residents take part in town activities. Donations may be sent to Standish Town Hall at 175 Northeast Road, Standish, 04084.
By all accounts, Gerald Spencer served his family and his town well.
“I’m certainly going to miss him,” Simpson said. “He was a great friend.”
“It’s a huge loss to the town,” Hopkins said, “as well as to all of us who consider him a friend.”
“He was loved not only by his family,” Margaret Spencer said, “but by everyone that came in contact with him.”
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