"To the Family of George Spear: I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of George. I worked with George at NUWC for many years. He touched many people's lives and began each morning with a nice smile and a"
In loving memory of
George A. Spear
February 11, 1930 - June 5, 2011
Portsmouth, RI - George A. Spear, 81, of Portsmouth, RI, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2011 after a long illness in the Newport Hospital.He was the husband for 60 years of Barbara M. Keniston Spear. Born in Somerville, MA on February 11, 1930, he was the son of the late George A. and M. Elizabeth York Spear.After graduating from Franklin High School in Franklin New Hampshire in 1948, Mr. Spear entered the US Navy to serve our country aboard several Destroyer Escorts during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. His multiple duty stations included Great Lakes, Illinois, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Newport, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts. After 20 years, Mr. Spear retired from the Navy as a Senior Chief Fire Control Technician to start work at the Naval Undersea System Center in Newport, RI. For 25 years Mr. Spear worked as an Electronic Technician for Code 22 and 25 where he was part of the Fire Control System group for several classes of submarines. During his years in the Navy and working for the Department of Defense, Mr. Spear enjoyed fishing the Narragansett Bay and golfing at the local greens. Besides his wife he leaves his children, Patricia J. Spear Johnson of Portsmouth, Robert A. Spear and his wife Suzanne of Warren, RI. His grandchildren, Edward J. Johnson and his wife Tracey and children of Columbus, NE, Nicole A. DePaul and her husband Stephen and children of Honolulu, HI, Benjamin T. Spear of East Providence, RI, Gregory L. Johnson and son of Columbus, NE, Derek R. Johnson and his wife Tiffany and son of Springfield, MO, Keelyn A. Oliveira and her husband Jason of Warren, RI, and Brandon T. Spear of Warren, RI. Mr. Spear is also survived by his sisters, Ruth Tickey McCullough of Kissemmee, FL, Jean L. Cameron of Hacketstown, NJ and Nancy S. Usher of Danvers, MA and several nieces and nephews.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, from 4-7pm in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.His funeral will be held on Thursday, June 9, at 9:00 am from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Choroideremia Research Foundation, 23 East Brundreth Street, Springfield, MA 01109-2110.
Tributes
"You are all in my prayers at this very hard time. My deepest sympathy to you all. Losing someone you love is always very hard. May you all find the peace in knowing that your loved one is enjoying Eternal Life, Love and Happiness with Our Lord. May your wonderful memories sustain you all at this time and in the future. My Deepest Sympathy, Joy Monteiro & Family"
"Our prayers are with all the family . Sorry to hear about your Loss."
"Bob, Suzanne and the Spear Family, I am so sorry to read about George. He was a wonderful man and so much fun to be around. We had many laughs in Bldg 112 with George. I loved working with him and listening to his stories about his life, sports and his family. He was so proud of his family. My deepest sympathy to all. Take Care!"
"George was a wonderful gentleman. He and I used to sneak into the supply cage at NUSC, Bldg. 112, to watch the Boston Bruins on channel 38. A great guy, -I'm sorry for your loss Bob."
"I've known Mr. Spear practically my whole life. Mr. and Mrs. Spear were great neighbors! As a kid, when I took the dog for a walk or just went for a stroll myself, he was always sitting in his lawn chair at the edge of the garage. Whether reading or listening to music, talking with his wife, or just enjoying the open air, he ALWAYS said hello. Mr. Spear was a joyful man with a kind heart. Mrs. Spear and family, I'm so sorry to hear of Mr. Spear's passing. I know he's watching over all of the family, and gracing Heaven with the wonderful laughter and smile that he has. Love, Kimmy Preuit"
"When a loved one dies the pain is unbearable. Our heavenly Father is aware of your pain. At great cost to himself, Jehovah sent his only-begotten Son to die for us, so that our dead ones can live again. The resurrection is an expression of God's love for us. Please learn more about the resurrection hope. about May this bring comfort to your family."
"Grandpa, Thank you for being exactly who you were. You taught us all so much. I can't get your smile out of my thoughts, it's the only thing i see when i think about you now. Thank you for the never-ending laughs, inspiring stories of a life well lived, and the love you showed us all. A truely inspiring show of strength and perseverance. We love you grandpa. Keep smiling. *Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.*"
"We love you, miss you and will always have you in our thoughts. Grandma spear- our arms are wrapped around you with a huge hug. Tears and laughter fill our hearts as we remember time spent with grandpa. Love to all...Tracy, Nieve & Logan"
"GRANDPA, WE ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE WE HAD TOGETHER. WE LOVED LISTENING TO THE STORIES OF YOUR LIFE EXPERINCES, AND HAVE FOREVER CHANGED OUR LIVES. YOU WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED, AND ALWAYS REMEMBERED. REST EASY. WITH GREATEST LOVE DEREK, TIFFANY, AND HAYDEN"
"Senior Chief, George, Grandpa, I am typing this to thank you for all that you have done for my family and for me. I will miss all the stories of the NAVY that inspired me to do the best I could so I could be more like youeven though I was a "Bubble Head". You inspired me withyour charge to me when I made Chief and I will make you proud as I journey on to be a Senior Chief like you. I would like t o thank you most of all for your wonderful daughterwho is strong as the Iron that clad your ships and for your beautiful Grandaughter who has given me the greatest gifts in my Life my two wonderful Children, And Love. Thank you for the memories, I will miss you and our talks at the kitchen table. THe Mess has lost a great one. Fair winds and following seas. Love, Your GRANDSON. CSCSSS Steve "The Bubble head" DePaul"
"Aunt Barbara, Pat and Bobby - It is Uncle Al's sense of humor that will always live on....I sit here now and chuckle when I remember how he loved to tease his sisters... especially when my mom was the target. He will be truly missed. You are all in my thoughts and prayers."
"Dad, what can I say. You had an adventurous life. You saw so much, learned so much and showed me how to be strong and responsible. I was your little girl you danced with to "Daddy's Little Girl", then you gave me to the world to make my way. THANK YOU. I'll miss talking to you about the Red Sox and the Bruins and the Navy. I'll miss you still guiding me on how to plant a vegtable garden and making sure I was ok. Be at peace. I love you"
"Very sorry for the loss of this man who was so special in so many peoples lives. His courage as a man who served our country is very admirable and appreciated by his fellow country men and women. With sincerest sympathy. Patty Rebello"