Gerald A. Spencer

Gerald A. Spencer, 92, of Edmonds, died May 21, 2012. Gerry had been in remarkable health until stricken with cancer a year and a half ago. Gerry was born in Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada on March 27, 1920. He was the son of J.C. and Minnie Paton Spencer. Gerry enjoyed his youth in Truro skating on the marshes in the winter and playing Army with his friends in the ruins of Ft. Beausejour during the summer. He apprenticed as a machinist and industrial mechanic with his father and brothers in the Spencer Machine Shop and joined the North Nova Scotia Highlanders (militia) as a Boy Soldier at the age of 16. When the war in Europe was declared in 1939, Gerry was frozen in his job as a machinist but sneaked away with his friend Normy to join up with the Novies again to enter the war. He was considered one of the originals of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and served the entire war heroically in the unit. Gerry was part of the Normandy Invasion on D-day in 1944 as a transport sergeant and dispatch rider. Gerry always loved the unit reunions and traveled to France twice to honor the units memory. After the war Gerry settled in California and worked until retirement for Norton Industries. Gerry married Bee Foster in 1990 and gained an instant (and large) loving family. He was nicknamed Pops by the grandkids and was deeply loved for his gentle ways, caring demeanor and great stories he told (especially of the war). He and Bee moved to Edmonds to be closer to family. His love for his family is exemplified in the relationships he established with every family member. It was just three weeks prior to his death that Pops was playing monster trucks with his two great grandsons.Pops is survived by his loving wife Bee, step-sons Tom and Rod Foster and their spouses, 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. He is also survived by his sisters Doreen Helwig, Audrey Dewolf and many nieces and nephews. Pops was predeceased by his parents and brothers Art, Roy and Ira. A private family memorial is planned. Cos Cheun Nach Gabh Tilleadh.