Robert Spence

          With love and great sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Robert Somerville Spence on May 28, 2025, at the age of 85, at Woodstock Hospital.

          Robert ‘Bob’ was the beloved husband of Jo Anne Lenore Spence (nee Bertrand) with whom he celebrated a fulfilling and meaningful life of 60 plus years.  Bob was the proud father of three children: Bobbie (Denise), Cheri, and Shawn (Tina).  His legacy continues through his grandchildren: Taylor James (TJ), Jennifer, Megan (Nelson), Ryan, Skylar, Kaitlyn, Kyle, Lucas (Bea) and Samantha.  Bob will also be blessed with a great-grandchild in August 2025.

          Bob enjoyed and engaged in community living.  During his 41 years of farming on the 8th Concession of Blanshard Township (4th Line St..Marys), he became a Councillor and served a term as Deputy Reeve.  As a community Councillor, he approached every challenge with curiosity, care, and a deep respect for the people he served. He believed that real leadership meant listening, thinking carefully, and finding solutions that truly worked for everyone.  Beyond his council duties, he was also a member of the Granton Masons and a dedicated volunteer at the Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre.  Bob lent his time and energy to everything from the organizing and execution of a fish fry for the Masons to the annual winter carnival to tending bar and joining the cleanup crew after private events for the Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre.  He also taught an annual snowmobile safety course with a close friend, helping local kids earn their snowmobile licenses - a tradition he upheld for some years at the community centre.  Whether in the council chamber or behind the scenes, he showed the same thoughtfulness, humility, and unwavering commitment to community life.

         After many years of farming, Bob turned his curiosity outward, embracing a new chapter of life filled with research, travel, and discovery. He approached each journey as he did every challenge - with careful planning, interest in, and a respect for the people and cultures he encountered. Together with Jo Anne, he explored places like Hawaii, England, Cuba, and Mexico, each destination chosen as a unique future adventure.  Later, during their retirement, they spent ten years living in a trailer park community in Texas, where Bob once again became an active and valued member within the park’s local life.  Whether close to home or far from it, Bob remained the same - quietly thoughtful, kind-hearted, and committed to making every place he touched a little better.

         In full retirement, Bob and Jo Anne made their cherished home in Marten River, a place they considered their little piece of heaven for many years, enjoying its beauty through all seasons.  It wasn’t just a home - it became a beloved getaway for family and friends, where memories were made, laughter was shared, and the door was always open.  Bob found great joy in the simple pleasures of life - fishing, hunting, observing the local wildlife.  He served proudly as an active member with the Marten River Volunteer Fire Department and was always eager to cook, serve, or help with any task that needed doing at their fundraising events.  At the weekly fish fry with neighbours and friends, Bob was always eager to help with preparing and cooking the meal, gladly joining in the camaraderie that followed with the people he cared so deeply about.

        In later years, Bob and Jo Anne spent their winters in Woodstock, reconnecting with old friends and enjoying the nearness of family, while returning to Marten River each spring through fall. It was a beautiful rhythm — and a wonderful way to live an exceptional life.

A Celebration of Life for Bob Spence will be held on Sunday July 6, 2025, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre, 70497 Road 164, Kirkton, Ontario, N0K 1K0.  All are welcome to attend and share memories. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bob Spence made to one of the following are very much appreciated:

• Marten River Volunteer Fire Department Cheques payable to MRVFFTA, sent c/o Todd Siengner, 82 McLaren Road, Hwy 11 North, Marten River, Ontario, P0H 1T0.  E-transfers may be sent to info@martenriver.ca with the password spence.  Please include “In memory of Bob Spence” in the message or note field.

• Christ Church Oxford Centre Cheques payable to Christ Church Oxford Centre, sent c/o Geoff Innes, Dorland Subdivision, 3 Front Street, Woodstock, Ontario, N4S 7V6.  E-transfers may be sent to ChristChurchOxfordCentre@outlook.com.  Please include “In memory of Bob Spence” in the message or note field.

Wareing Cremation Services, 225 Norwich Ave., Woodstock was entrusted with Final Arrangements.  Your messages of remembrance and condolence may be shared here at wareingcremation.ca