Obituary for Lewis R. ""Papa"" Spence
Scottsville – Passed peacefully at home on March 31, 2022 at age 84. Predeceased by his parents Richard Spence Sr. and Bertha Spence; sisters Kathleen Spence and Elizabeth Spence; brothers Ronald “Red” Spence, Thomas Spence, Richard Spence Jr.; and beloved grandson Joseph Padlick.
Survived by his wife of 63 years, Beverley; daughters Kathleen (Jeff) Padlick and Barbara Spence; sons Daniel (Jane) Spence, David Spence and Matthew Spence. Grandchildren Evan Noah, Kassie (Khris) Padlick-Field, Jennifer (Anthony) Mannara, Joshua (Krista) Padlick, Preston Spence, Matthew Spence Jr, Jordan Spence, Sydney Spence and Jacob Spence. Great grandchildren Kylie, Audrey, Finley, Isabella, Brody, Lucia, and Lewis. Brothers Martin Spence, Patrick (Carol) Spence, William (Joyce) Spence, John Spence and James (Marie) Spence. Sisters Frances (Luke) Wells, Mary (John) Kinton, Lauren Spence and Theresa (Mark Wagner) Spence. Many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Lewis R. Spence was born in Rochester, NY on August 6, 1937. If ever a person so completely manifested as their zodiac sign, it was Lew the Leo – lion-hearted, king of his domain, creative, generous, warm, cheerful, and humorous. At an early age he developed a strong sense of family and community that guided him throughout his long, accomplished, and faith-centered life.
The second oldest of 15 children, Lew joined the Navy at age 17, proudly serving his country as a fireman/boiler technician on the USS Tabberer from 1954 to 1958. Prior to enlisting, handsome, gregarious Lew first asked out the girl who inspired the vision of what the rest of his life would be, the red-haired beauty Beverley Green. She turned him down but four years later while on leave he asked her out again and she said yes. On their first date, Lew proposed and she said yes. Lew and Bev started their amazing, 63-year adventure as husband and wife on June 14, 1958.
Upon leaving active duty in the Navy, and with the first baby on the way, Lew followed his father into the tool making trade. During his 40 years in the industry, he worked at area shops, eventually co-founding AJL Manufacturing with his friends Al and Jerry. In 1998, he retired from Xerox in Webster as the tool shop manager.
Building a strong, loving, close-knit family was Lew and Bev’s shared vision for their life together. The children came quickly -- Kathy, Barb, then Danny, Dave and a few years later, Matt. In searching for a home for their growing brood, Lew and Bev found the perfect place: a three-story farmhouse built in 1817 on the outskirts of Scottsville. The home was in disrepair and needed some serious TLC. Lew looked at the scope of renovations needed, said “I got this” and dove right in.
What construction skills he didn’t have he acquired – for example, taking masonry classes at WeMoCo – to ensure the job was done right. As his sons got older, he taught them carpentry, masonry, and electrical while working on the various remodel projects. It took over 10 years to restore the home to its former glory. He even created space for his Florida-based in-laws, allowing them to have a NY residence during the summer months. Now affectionately called “the farm,” it continues to be a haven of love, community, comfort and warmth.
A man committed to Christ-like service, Lew opened his home to those in difficult situations and needing a safe space, including numerous foster children, and extended family and friends. He gave back to his adopted hometown of Scottsville by serving on the Zoning Board, the Lyons Club and he was a member of the VFW.
Lew was a true renaissance man, with his relentless curiosity driving him to explore a wide variety of topics. He was interested in aviation and loved adventure so he bought a used Cessna for the family to take flying lessons. Learning to fly really kicked in his desire to travel – he and Bev traveled to Amsterdam, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Paris, Ireland, Cinque Terra and Rome, Italy, plus they enjoyed cruises in the Caribbean and Adriatic Seas, and to Alaska.
A member of the West Woods Rod and Gun Club for many years, Lou was an avid outdoorsman who shared his love and appreciation of nature with his children and grandchildren. He and his sons built a fishing cabin in the north country on the side of a rocky outcrop, surrounded by a lake in front and a swamp in the back. He purchased an abandoned gravel pit adjacent to the farm and created a nature preserve, including digging a duck pond affectionally named “Lew Lake.” A hunting trip on horseback deep into the Adirondack wilderness was an unforgettable experience. The Wellsville fishing derby with his sons and grandsons was a can’t-miss event. And the annual family camping trip to Lake Eaton, started by Bev’s grandfather Nelson Green in 1920, continues as a cherished family tradition to this day.
Lew was fascinated by animal husbandry and over the years he raised cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and chickens, studying commercial farming techniques with his good friend Scott Stokoe. He respected the Amish lifestyle and work ethic, and used Amish techniques and tools to keep his draught horses healthy. He’d grin ear to ear while driving his horses Homer and Myrtle in town parades, at family gatherings, and at Stokoe Farm events, maneuvering those massive animals with skill and expertise.
As his children started their own families, Papa relished his role as patriarch of the Spence dynasty. He was a pied piper for the young and the old; at any given moment a grandchild, and later a great grandchild, would be tailing him around the farm. With Papa, mischief was never off the table; when his eyes twinkled and he bent down to a small head with a conspiratorial whisper, something possibly against the rules was about to go down. He was the glue that held his siblings together, hosting the annual Spence Family Reunion/Pig Roast for, at times, over 100 of his blood relatives.
Lew had an easy laugh, stories for days and gave the best bear hugs ever. He lived a life of love, exuberance and exploration, always seeking to learn more and be more…and always with the woman of his dreams at his side. Those of us lucky enough to have been in his orbit will miss him fiercely and will always carry a piece of him in our hearts. We take comfort in knowing that he is at peace in the loving arms of his Heavenly Father.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Lew’s remarkable life on Thursday, April 7, from 4-7pm at Cameron Funeral Home, 26 Rochester St., Scottsville, NY. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Wounded Warriors, 370 7th Ave., Suite 1802, New York, NY 10001 or your favorite veteran’s charity, in Lew’s memory.
Survived by his wife of 63 years, Beverley; daughters Kathleen (Jeff) Padlick and Barbara Spence; sons Daniel (Jane) Spence, David Spence and Matthew Spence. Grandchildren Evan Noah, Kassie (Khris) Padlick-Field, Jennifer (Anthony) Mannara, Joshua (Krista) Padlick, Preston Spence, Matthew Spence Jr, Jordan Spence, Sydney Spence and Jacob Spence. Great grandchildren Kylie, Audrey, Finley, Isabella, Brody, Lucia, and Lewis. Brothers Martin Spence, Patrick (Carol) Spence, William (Joyce) Spence, John Spence and James (Marie) Spence. Sisters Frances (Luke) Wells, Mary (John) Kinton, Lauren Spence and Theresa (Mark Wagner) Spence. Many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Lewis R. Spence was born in Rochester, NY on August 6, 1937. If ever a person so completely manifested as their zodiac sign, it was Lew the Leo – lion-hearted, king of his domain, creative, generous, warm, cheerful, and humorous. At an early age he developed a strong sense of family and community that guided him throughout his long, accomplished, and faith-centered life.
The second oldest of 15 children, Lew joined the Navy at age 17, proudly serving his country as a fireman/boiler technician on the USS Tabberer from 1954 to 1958. Prior to enlisting, handsome, gregarious Lew first asked out the girl who inspired the vision of what the rest of his life would be, the red-haired beauty Beverley Green. She turned him down but four years later while on leave he asked her out again and she said yes. On their first date, Lew proposed and she said yes. Lew and Bev started their amazing, 63-year adventure as husband and wife on June 14, 1958.
Upon leaving active duty in the Navy, and with the first baby on the way, Lew followed his father into the tool making trade. During his 40 years in the industry, he worked at area shops, eventually co-founding AJL Manufacturing with his friends Al and Jerry. In 1998, he retired from Xerox in Webster as the tool shop manager.
Building a strong, loving, close-knit family was Lew and Bev’s shared vision for their life together. The children came quickly -- Kathy, Barb, then Danny, Dave and a few years later, Matt. In searching for a home for their growing brood, Lew and Bev found the perfect place: a three-story farmhouse built in 1817 on the outskirts of Scottsville. The home was in disrepair and needed some serious TLC. Lew looked at the scope of renovations needed, said “I got this” and dove right in.
What construction skills he didn’t have he acquired – for example, taking masonry classes at WeMoCo – to ensure the job was done right. As his sons got older, he taught them carpentry, masonry, and electrical while working on the various remodel projects. It took over 10 years to restore the home to its former glory. He even created space for his Florida-based in-laws, allowing them to have a NY residence during the summer months. Now affectionately called “the farm,” it continues to be a haven of love, community, comfort and warmth.
A man committed to Christ-like service, Lew opened his home to those in difficult situations and needing a safe space, including numerous foster children, and extended family and friends. He gave back to his adopted hometown of Scottsville by serving on the Zoning Board, the Lyons Club and he was a member of the VFW.
Lew was a true renaissance man, with his relentless curiosity driving him to explore a wide variety of topics. He was interested in aviation and loved adventure so he bought a used Cessna for the family to take flying lessons. Learning to fly really kicked in his desire to travel – he and Bev traveled to Amsterdam, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Paris, Ireland, Cinque Terra and Rome, Italy, plus they enjoyed cruises in the Caribbean and Adriatic Seas, and to Alaska.
A member of the West Woods Rod and Gun Club for many years, Lou was an avid outdoorsman who shared his love and appreciation of nature with his children and grandchildren. He and his sons built a fishing cabin in the north country on the side of a rocky outcrop, surrounded by a lake in front and a swamp in the back. He purchased an abandoned gravel pit adjacent to the farm and created a nature preserve, including digging a duck pond affectionally named “Lew Lake.” A hunting trip on horseback deep into the Adirondack wilderness was an unforgettable experience. The Wellsville fishing derby with his sons and grandsons was a can’t-miss event. And the annual family camping trip to Lake Eaton, started by Bev’s grandfather Nelson Green in 1920, continues as a cherished family tradition to this day.
Lew was fascinated by animal husbandry and over the years he raised cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and chickens, studying commercial farming techniques with his good friend Scott Stokoe. He respected the Amish lifestyle and work ethic, and used Amish techniques and tools to keep his draught horses healthy. He’d grin ear to ear while driving his horses Homer and Myrtle in town parades, at family gatherings, and at Stokoe Farm events, maneuvering those massive animals with skill and expertise.
As his children started their own families, Papa relished his role as patriarch of the Spence dynasty. He was a pied piper for the young and the old; at any given moment a grandchild, and later a great grandchild, would be tailing him around the farm. With Papa, mischief was never off the table; when his eyes twinkled and he bent down to a small head with a conspiratorial whisper, something possibly against the rules was about to go down. He was the glue that held his siblings together, hosting the annual Spence Family Reunion/Pig Roast for, at times, over 100 of his blood relatives.
Lew had an easy laugh, stories for days and gave the best bear hugs ever. He lived a life of love, exuberance and exploration, always seeking to learn more and be more…and always with the woman of his dreams at his side. Those of us lucky enough to have been in his orbit will miss him fiercely and will always carry a piece of him in our hearts. We take comfort in knowing that he is at peace in the loving arms of his Heavenly Father.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Lew’s remarkable life on Thursday, April 7, from 4-7pm at Cameron Funeral Home, 26 Rochester St., Scottsville, NY. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Wounded Warriors, 370 7th Ave., Suite 1802, New York, NY 10001 or your favorite veteran’s charity, in Lew’s memory.