John L. Spencer of New Bedford passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loved ones on July 21, 2018. He was the husband of the late Rose E. (Ferreira) Spencer whom he was married to for 56 years.
Born in Ossining, NY, he later moved to Westchester County, NY, Waterbury, CT, and then Carver before residing in New Bedford for the last 65 years.
He graduated from Wilcox Technical High School in 1949. He then became an Army medic during the Korean Conflict for two years until 1953. He then attended nursing school at Odwin College in Boston for two years. In 1956, he graduated from New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science, Embalming and Funeral Directing, now known as Mount Ida College. He graduated in 1983 from Bristol Community College with an Associates Degree in Social Science. In 1970, he earned a LPN license from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and worked for the Department of Mental Health for many years and was later promoted as a senior LPN and eventually night supervisor. He retired from Taunton State Hospital in 1989.
In 1947 he was the first Cape Verdean to be selected to the Connecticut CIAC class B All State basketball team. In 1961, he was also selected to the basketball and baseball hall of fame at Wilcox Tech High School. In 1974 he coached the Verdean Vets little league of New Bedford and then went on to Manny Lima to coach the
American Legion Post One to the World Series in Portland, Oregon.
His one and only hobby was baseball! He was an avid collector of baseball memorabilia and spent many days at various baseball fields watching little leaguers to professionals. His love of baseball took him to Fort Myers, FL and Scottsdale, AZ where he gained knowledge in instructional baseball from the many coaches and players.
He is survived by his children, John A. Spencer of New Bedford, Anthony Spencer and wife Marilyn, and Teresa Levesque and husband Ronald, all Acushnet; his two grandchildren, Adam and Jacob Spencer; his sister Louise Silva of Taunton; and two foster brothers, Richard Meuse of Plymouth and Donald DiRienzo of Taunton. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother Manuel Spencer, sister Laura Spencer, and foster brother Anthony Offley.
His Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday July 25, 2018 at 11 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday July 24, 2018 from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdywer.com.