April 27, 1934 - September 23, 2024
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of James William Spencer, beloved husband, father and grandfather. Jim died peacefully with his wife of 50 years, Elaine, and his son Jack by his side. He left this world at age 90 on September 23, 2024, at the Rotary Hospice in Stratford, ON.
Born in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England on April 27, 1934, Jim was the son of the late William Spencer and Violet Margaret Spencer. He was pre-deceased in May, 2024 by his beloved sister, Sally.
Jim emigrated to Canada in July, 1966. He enjoyed a long and successful career as an Electrical Engineer, P.Eng. Jim worked with several companies over the course of his nearly 50-year career. These companies included, Allan West Ltd., Westinghouse Ltd., McGraw-Edison Co. Ltd., Trench Electric Ltd., Hydro One, and ABB Canada. At one point he was President & CEO of McGraw-Edison, with over 600 employees in his charge. Jim thrived on hard work and loved a challenge.
Following his retirement from Hydro One, Jim & Elaine moved to a small Nova Scotia village where they established a Bed & Breakfast called the Valley Rose. They operated it for almost four years. In 1999, they moved to Stratford ON, where they owned & operated the Stone Maiden Inn, a glorious15-room Victorian B&B Inn for 12 years. Such happy memories!
Jim loved to travel and saw much of Europe, Australia, all 50 states in the USA and travelled to all parts of Canada, except PEI (one of his few regrets). He was active and loved tennis, golf, gardening, table tennis, stamp collecting, and reading. He was a skilled small-bore rifleman when he lived in Montreal and he was the Captain of the English team before moving to Canada. He loved listening to music and attending concerts— especially loving Irish & Scottish ballads and sea shanties.
Most of all, Jim loved his family. He and Elaine, met in 1974 on a blind date. They were married only seven months later in Toronto and shared 50 amazing years together. They had two sons—Andrew and Jack—whom Jim loved with all his heart, and of whom he was incredibly proud. Andrew and his wonderful wife Melissa gave him two beautiful and much-loved grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Isaac. Life was wonderful!
Jim will be remembered for his integrity, humour, reliability, strong work ethic, great smile, charming English accent, his gentle manner and his loving heart. He will always be remembered as a caring father, a loving husband and a good man. A life well lived and one loved by so many. Rest in Peace, our beloved Jim.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 2-4 pm (with words of remembrance starting at 3 pm) at Rutherford Cremation & Funeral Services. 804 Ontario St., Stratford. 519-271-5062.
Donations in memory may be made to the Stratford Perth Humane Society (www.kwsphumane.ca) or the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca) directly or through the funeral home.
Arrangements entrusted to Rutherford Cremation & Funeral Services
