Spencer Francis Conley

 

 

 

Spencer Francis Conley, 81, of Sunderland, MA died on 24 June 2015 at Bay State Medical Center in Springfield, MA.

Spence was born in Berkeley, CA, into a Navy Family. ""Spike"", as he was called growing up, moved frequently as a child, but ultimately graduating from Berkeley High School.
Spence went on to the University of Utah where he played football and majored in Journalism. Prior to graduating, Spence was drafted into the Army and sent to postwar Korea. PFC Conley worked as a clerk typist for the 8th Army HQ and played on the All Army Football team.
After his time in the Army, Spence graduated from the University of Utah and embarked on a career in journalism, covering professional sports, including ice hockey. tennis and college football. He worked as a sportswriter for the Oakland Tribune in the early 1960s and covered the California Seals hockey team and Cal football. He finished up his professional career working for the US Fish and Wildlife Service as the Northeast Region's Assistant Regional Director for Public Relations. Spence was a lifelong fisherman and member of the University of Utah Football Hall of Fame. Spence had a quick wit and was always ready with a funny joke or story.
Spence, known as ""Papa"" to his grandchildren, is survived by his wife, Janet. His daughter, Andrea married Greg Early and lives in Falmouth, MA. His daughter, Michelle married David Duffy and lives in Bradford, NH. His son, Christopher, married the former Erinn Christopher and has 3 children, Brennan, Patterson and Rylan, they live in Woodbridge, VA.
A remembrance will be held at Wrisley Funeral Home, South Deerfield from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, 29 June 2015.
Condolences can be sent to: 24 Clark Mountain Road, Sunderland, MA 01375.
Funeral Home Address: 90a Sugarloaf St, South Deerfield, MA 01373.

Published by The Recorder on Jun. 27, 2015.