Burlington, MA/Livonia, NY: Paul was born on June 19, 1964, in Ogdensburg, NY and passed unexpectedly on December 29, 2024. Survived by his son, Conor Spencer of Burlington, MA; parents, John & Mary Spencer of Geneseo; brothers, Jeremy (Krista Palermo) Spencer of Irondequoit and Patrick Spencer of Akron, NY; also survived by Conor’s mother, Ellen Holohan, of Livonia.
Paul graduated from Livonia High School in 1982 and then studied at Clarkson University, graduating magna cum laude, he earned his master’s degree at Lehigh University and a second masters at the Simon Business School at the U of R. He worked for Bell Labs as a technical analyst and was working as an electrical engineer with Ledvance in Wilmington, Massachusetts.
In his free time, Paul immersed himself in friends, especially his best friend, Lana. He would not leave home without his four-legged companion, whether spending the morning around the breakfast table or taking overnight trips to visit friends. He always had room for his best friend, Lana.
Family and friends may call on Saturday, January 18th, from 1 pm – 3 pm at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 21 Big Tree Street, Rte 20A, Livonia, NY where Paul’s Memorial Service will be held at 3 pm, following calling hours. Interment will be held in the spring at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Geneseo, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Conor Spencer at the following link: https://gofund.me/f8112ff6
To send a condolence or share a memory, please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Originally I went to high school with Paul’s parents at OFA in Ogdensburg, NY. After many adventures I found myself confronted by Paul’s father on Parents’ Night at Livonia High School
when John said, “What are you doing here?” I noted that I was Paul’s math teacher for the Math 11 Honors class
(Precalculus). The next year Paul was in my Computer Programming class and a member of a 6-student team invited to the National All-Star Programming Contest. Paul graduated from high school as Salutatorian of a very competitive class. Paul proceeded to Clarkson University and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Electrical Engineering. His first job was with Westinghouse Electronics. After several years Paul earned masters degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering from Lehigh University and then proceeded to work for Bell Labs in Camden, NJ. At that time Paul met and married a nurse in Philadelphia 5 miles away, Irish lass Ellen Holohan. With the passage of time, the Spencers went to Rochester, NY, where Paul worked as an electrical engineer at Kodak and Ellen worked as a nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital, part of the University of Rochester. Paul was selected by Kodak to earn an MBA at the Simon Business School in the University of Rochester while working as an electrical engineer. Conor Spencer arrived by some mystery of creation, and Kodak placed Paul in a masters program for digital image processing. Paul was made a manager for a new program developing the first digital cell phones. Over time Paul was placed in a Kodak startup company call NexPress developing large color digital printers. I found myself working with Paul while he was the manager of a team developing a software webserver for printer designers who used web clients to configure and control the printers. Kodak became bankrupt, so Paul went to work for Ortho-Clinical-Diagnostics as an electrical engineer, helping to build blood analyzers that are bigger than my kitchen. Then OCD had financial problems, so Paul started working for small startup companies building small electronic devices needed by companies building larger devices. Then Xerox started moving toward bankrupcy, and the technical business work environment in Rochester started dying. Paul realized Rochester was no longer the technical hub it had been with the downfall of Kodak and Xerox, so he moved to Boston where his skills were needed.
Many people have commented to me about how smart Paul was. Paul’s genetic gift was he had a photographic memory, the ability for abstract and analytic reasoning, and a
curosity how techical devices worked – he started with a broken TV set which a neighbor had thrown out for trash pickup at age 8. Paul’s father retired from Kodak as a Senior Executive Vice President for the Research and Development Divison – the very traits which Paul demonstrated during his life.
We all have skills and a purpose – the issue is whether we can find the path that lets each of us develop and use them.
Sorry for your loss. I remember visiting all of you at your house on Lima Rd. when we were young. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Over these past couple of weeks We feel the pain of this loss. The daily video calls, flowers when I least expected them. His contagious smile and enthusiasm for the day ahead. Our long walks with Lana and Ollie. The trips we did together and the plans we had for our future. Paul’s selfless commitment and mentoring of Hailey as she works through her EE degree. Your love of teaching snd sharing knowledge shined through. My deepest condolences to Conor and the family.
Deb, Hailey, and Ollie Minassian
My deepest condolences to Conor and to Paul’s family. I will miss Paul dearly. My heart is shattered. Paul was a wonderful, caring, loving, beautiful person. A gentle soul always willing to help. He had an adventurous spirit and a zest for life. CeCe will also miss her friend, Lana. I will hold dear all of our many memories and I will treasure all the years we had together. Rest in eternal peace Paul, my love. I love you!
Paul was a wonderful man – kind, sweet, intelligent, handsome, generous, funny, helpful, loving, and lovable.
I treasure the time we had together and love & miss him more than words can say. We had so many plans & hopes for our future.
I wish strength and comfort for his loved ones.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Conor and family. Our hearts are broken for your tragic and devastating loss. I know how much you loved your Dad and Lana. Just from knowing Conor a person who is loved by so many and who has the biggest heart, is always there to help in anyway he can. From the moment we met Conor we knew how special he was and wanted to be his friend. He’s genuinely one of the best ppl we know so while We never met Paul I see the impact he had on so many lives just like his son. We pray for Paul and Lana
We are happy to know that Conor is comforted by his wonderful mom
So sorry, Paul was a friend in school, I didn’t have many but he was sure a good one, rest easy Paul and we will all catch up on the other side.
My thoughts are with you Conor, and with your family . I am so sorry. I loved Paul dearly and the time we spent together over these last two years , with our dogs Bella and Lana will always be precious to me.
If you can count on one or two friends in your lifetime who deeply understand who you are, who are generous with their time and ears, who help when needed and often without being asked, who show up at the right time when you need them the most, who listen without judgment, who will laugh with you until you cry and your stomach hurts and cry with you when you are hurting, who teach you things about yourself you didn’t even know, who build you up without trying, and with whom spending time is simply a joy and an adventure – you are lucky. Such was my friendship with Paul. He was my best friend. He will be deeply missed, not just by me, but by my whole family. His kindness, generosity, and thirst for learning and teaching were one of a kind. He spread those qualities wherever he went, and did so effortlessly.
Love and light to all those who mourn. Paul was a gift who was gone too soon, but I know his spirit will live on.
I am so sorry for your loss, I will always remember Paul Spencer as great team member and your great contributions on innovations and connectivity technology. Prayers to Paul’s family.
Our sincere condolences from the Swaine family. Paul was a well accomplished, knowledgeable person. He was a great neighbor. If he wasn’t assisting you in some way he was tinkering outside. Always willing to help anyone. I’m sure he’s up there tinkering on something right now. Lana was a wonderful companion. They had a special bond and will sorely be missed.
The Swaine’s
Troy, Marcy, Rachel and Andrew
Paul was a dear friend of over 40 years. He was like a brother to me and I will greatly miss his friendship, council and witty sense of humor. He brought joy into our lives and was the Best Man at our wedding. We will greatly miss him. Our prayers to Conor and his Family.
Steven and Kirsten
Paul was a great man. Always so helpful, funny, and extremely knowledgeable. We lost a really good person. Prayers and thoughts for the family
My sincere condolences for the loss of Paul, sending my prayers to Patrick Spencer and entire family !
My deepest condolences to the Spencer family. Many fond memories of our families getting together for many years. Prayers and hugs to all.
So sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. He will be grately missed. He had become such a dear friend to us. May he rest in peace. Praying for his family and friends.
Greg and Lene
I’m so sorry for the loss of Paul.
We have worked together for many years and I have always enjoyed his positive way of thinking. My sincere condolences to the whole family!
My deepest sympathy & prayers to Paul’s entire family during this time of mourning.?????
I’m so sorry for the loss of Paul. I have such happy school memories of my friend and classmate. My sincere condolences to the family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thoughts and Prayers To the Family
Remembered well as a student. Heart and thoughts are with the family.
Conor, we are devastated for your tragic loss. Your dad was such an accomplished man and loved by so many. I know you will treasure your memories you had with him. May God heal your broken heart and give you comfort.
So sorry for your loss. Paul was a great guy. In my thoughts and prayers.
My deepest sympathies to Conor and the Spencer family.