Born February 8, 1939 in Benton, ME, he was the first of nine children to Dorothy M. and Arthur A. Spencer, Sr. He attended area schools then joined the Army National Guard in 1956. He received that year’s Outstanding Recruit Award and was Honorably Discharged in 1964.
He married Gilmay Madore, in 1958, making their home in Fairfield with their children Jeffrey and Sandra. In early years he worked in the Fairfield area as a cook at Fred’s Drive-In, Al Zimba Drywall & Plastering and Mickey Pouliot Construction. He served as President of the Clinton Lions Club and Clinton Snowmobile Club. He enjoyed racing at Unity Speedway with his brothers and friends and was pleased to see his old friend Stan Meserve at the Wiscasset Speedway shortly before it closed.
In 1978 he married Cynthia Gagnon Berry making their home in Topsham with her daughters, Cheryl and Debra; then moving to Cushman Point in Wiscasset and later moving to Woolwich. He hired on as job superintendent for J.H. Shostak, Builder; Jefferson Construction of Cambridge, MA and Pen Bay Builders. He supervised the Doctor’s Condominium and Medical Building in Rumford, the Wherry Housing renovations at Brunswick Naval Air Station, the NH Easter Seal Goodwill Headquarters Project and the Oak Ridge Development in Bath.
Tired of travel, he established Art Spencer Builders and was quickly known for his work ethic and integrity. He was then offered the Maintenance Dir. position at Bath Housing Authority of which he received a number of commendations for his exceptional job performance. He also conducted HUD Section 8 inspections in the surrounding counties. After his short retirement from Bath Housing Authority, Lewis & Malm Architecture hired him as Clerk of the Works for the Edgecomb Eddy School project. Later, he drove school bus in the Boothbay area and drove summers for the Boothbay YMCA and Camp Knickerbocker. His last job became a labor of love as he returned to the Edgecomb Eddy School to drive school bus until his health would no longer allow.
As an avid hunter he was a member of the North American Hunter’s Club and an Endowment Member of the NRA. He taught his daughters and wife the proper use and safety of firearms. He was a member of the Woolwich ATV Club, was past vice-chair of the Wiscasset School Board Committee and past Chair of Union #48 Committee. He was appointed to the Woolwich Road Committee, Board of Appeals and Solid Waste Committee. Arbie was a past member and Deacon of the Woolwich Wiscasset Baptist Church and contributed to the organization and growth of the orchestra and music ministry.
He continued in service for the Lord by participating in the Bible study at the Thomaston State Prison and monthly music ministry at the Prison Farm. He and Cindy sang with the Gospel Travelers and occasionally traveled with John Bailey and his group. With John’s encouragement, the gospel group Crimson was formed with Arbie as lead singer. His singing touched many over the years and has been greatly missed.
Arbie was predeceased by his daughter Sandy, his mother and father and his brother Malcolm “Butch.” Arbie’s brother George passed away on January 28, 2013. These three brothers held a close bond.
Remaining, are his wife Cindy, son Jeff of Limerick, daughters Cheryl and husband Jason of Georgetown and Debbie and husband Ken of Woolwich, seven granddaughters, two great-grandsons, two great grand-daughters and one great grandchild due in June; sisters Ellen Martin of Waterville, Susan Estes of Fairfield and Kimberly Smith and husband Bert of Vassalboro, brothers John Spencer, Sr. of Bangor and wife Nancy of Albion, Paul and wife Charlotte of Canaan, Roger and wife Lynne of Englewood, FL, Butch’s widow, Badiha of Winslow, George’s widow, Donna of Benton, loving aunts, uncle and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Because of his deep love for pets, please consider donating to your local animal shelter in his memory.
His family welcomes you to join them in celebration of his life at 3:00 p.m. on Sat., April 6th at the Woolwich Wiscasset Baptist Church on Route 1 in Woolwich with food and fellowship to follow.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick.
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