Paul R. Spiers: May 29, 1918 - March 4, 2009

This week brings goodbyes to yet another part of the family. My Step Grandfather Paul Spiers lost the fight to cancer yesterday morning. While we never became truly close, and I have no photos to remember his face by; he and my Grandmother always made my brother and I feel like a part of the family, not add-on's or plus-ones. I will always be grateful for that.

The funeral home posted a lovely obituary for him that I will repost here. May you rest in peace Grampa, we will all miss your kind smiles and laughter.
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Passed away peacefully, on March 4th, 2009, age 90 at the Demay Living Center with his loving family at his side. Paul is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Wood Spiers; children Susan (Thomas) Lennon of Macedon, Sally (John) Switzer of Ontario, Betsy (John) Portela of Brunswick, ME, and Ellen (Jim) Allen of Webster; grandchildren Chris, Matt (Tina) and Tim (Deb) Lennon, Doran (Tara) and Jason (Carrie) Nealon, Corey and Kate Golden, Tenley and Marshall Allen; step grandchildren Elizabeth and John K. Switzer, Matthew Allen and Melissa Allen Powell, Matt Portela; 11 great grandchildren; son-in-laws Perry Golden and Jon Jennerich. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Adelaide Shepard Spiers and his sister Esther Brown.

A graduate of Cornell University Class of 1941 and a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Paul joined the Army Air Corps, where First Lieutenant Spiers served as a B-17 pilot during World War II, assigned to the 384th Bomb Group. He flew 32 combat sorties in the European Theater of Operations. Paul retired in 1986 after having spent 21 years with Western New York Farm Credit Association. He was active in the United Third Methodist Church of Sodus, the Geriatrics Pilot Association, Rotary International (Paul Harris Fellow), Sodus Lodge #392 F&AM, and the Stamp Club of Sodus.

A Memorial Service for Paul will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, from the Sodus United Third Methodist Church. Military honors will be accorded following the service. There will be a reception immediately following for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Paul’s memory should be directed to the United Third Methodist Church of Sodus, 56 West Main Street, Sodus, NY 14551. Arr: Norton Funeral Home.