Obituary of Stephen M. Spencer

Stephen Spencer, 58, of Cuyler, went home to be with the Lord on November 19, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. He maintained a fighting spirit and optimistic attitude while he fought a brave, four year battle with pancreatic cancer. His illness did little to dampen the light in his eyes or diminish his enjoyment of his family, work and hobbies. Steve grew up in Homer, where he graduated from high school and enjoyed trapping, canoeing and adventures with his friends and siblings along the Tioghnioga River. He attended Homer Baptist Church for most of his life and had a genuine love for the Lord. Steve led by example and shared his beliefs with his family and friends. He enjoyed a 37-year career as a forester at Gutchess Lumber Company, where he worked with family and close friends doing what he loved. Steve inherited his father’s love of the outdoors and was most at home in the woods or in his Christmas tree fields. Working was his hobby when it came to trees! He loved identifying birds and flowers and was delighted to share that passion with his grandkids. He was very creative and enjoyed making furniture and building barns and whimsical cottages that he designed himself. One of his greatest joys was buying, fixing and collecting antique clocks. Steve will be remembered as a humble, honest and loyal husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was incredibly funny, fun-loving and was a great story-teller. He took amazing care of his family and will be sorely missed by all of us. Steve is survived by his wife of 25 years, Cindy, his children Isaac Spencer (Jennifer), Jessica Donaldson (Jeff), Steven Brauksieck (Kristen), Daniel Brauksieck (Jessica), and Tracey Brauksieck; his grandchildren Nathan, Rachel, Collin and Jacob Spencer and Noah Brauksieck; his siblings Luanna Chandler (Kim), Susan Spencer Kellman (Richard), Rebecca Spencer (George Gaebler), Daniel Spencer (Mary), his niece and several nephews, including Heather and Asa Spencer to whom he was particularly close. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Jean Spencer. Calling hours will be held at Wright-Beard Funeral Home in Cortland on Friday, November 22 from 4pm-6pm. A memorial service will be held at Grace Christian Fellowship in Cortland on Saturday, November 23 at 1pm. Flowers may be sent to the Wright-Beard Funeral Home. Donations may be made in Steve’s name to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.