Hoosick Falls – Spencer McMartin Jr., 83, passed away peacefully after a long illness at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT, with his family at his side. He was the husband of his beloved Joan (Rancourt), who pre-deceased him in March of 2014.
Born October 10, 1931, in Hoosick Falls, NY, Spencer was the son of the late Julia (Corbett) McMartin and Spencer McMartin, Sr. He graduated from Walter A. Wood High School in Hoosick Falls where he developed a love for athletics and American history that lasted throughout his life. Spencer worked as an Office Manager for Swift & Company, moving his young family to various locations in New York including, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo. After relocating to the Hoosick Falls area, he worked for the Blue Flame Company. He enjoyed golfing, restoring furniture, renovating his vacation home and spending time with his family at his cabin at Babcock Lake where he enjoyed boating, fishing and lakeside barbecues. He was a huge fan of Notre Dame football and served as an armchair coach for many decades for the New York Giants.
Spencer was the patriarch of a large family. He is survived by his five children, Carol Holterman and her husband Peter of Clifton Park, NY, Colleen Doyle and her husband Daniel of Hoosick Falls, Thomas McMartin and his wife Ellen of Hoosick Falls, James McMartin and his wife Sylvie of Hooksett, NH, and Paul McMartin and his wife Kelly of Troy, NY. Additionally, he is survived by his grandchildren, David McMartin and his wife Emily, Brian McMartin, Kimberly Holterman, Jami McMartin, Kyle McMartin, Sara Senecal, Geoffrey Peron and Melissa Grignon and her husband Mike, as well as his great-grandchildren, Jillian and Colin McMartin, Ayla Senecal, Zachary Grignon and Stephen and Skyla Peron. He also left behind several nieces and nephews as well as his sister-in-law, Anne Fleming and her husband Ken. All will miss him and remember him as Notre Dame’s most loyal fan, a smooth dance partner at all family weddings, a champion puzzle builder and a willing taste tester for gourmet foods and desserts.
Calling hours for Spencer are Thursday, January 15, from 4 to 7 pm at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090. Friends and family may meet at the funeral home on Friday, January 16, at 9:45 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls.
Spencer’s family would like to thank Dr. Marcus Martinez, the staff at the Danforth Home, the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad for their compassionate care of Spencer.
Both Spencer and his wife Joan believed that no one should be hungry. His family requests that contributions in memory of Spencer be made to the HACA (Hoosick Area Church Association) through the funeral home, to help fund their Food Pantry.