Category: Family Reunions

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Philip Howard Spencer dies at 96 years old

Yesterday I attended the memorial service for cousin Philip (with one L like the disciple- he says) Howard Spencer at the Media Presbyterian Church in Media, PA. It was a wonderful celebration of his life with many of his paintings, photos and great stories told by his sons and grandchildren. Cousin Phil, born 24 Jan 1927, died 10 Jun 2023 at Maris Grove Retirement Village, in Glen Mills, PA, was the son of Howard and Mary (White) Spencer.

“He is survived by a sister, Eizabeth Drusedum and three sons, Blake Spencer (Jennifer Brown) of Strafford, VT; Scott Spencer (Barbara) of Rehoboth, MA and Stuart Spencer (Leslie) of Moorestown, NJ. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Christopher McGrath (Catherine), Robin Spencer, Katies Spencer, Annik Spencer Allen (Danny), Samuel Spencer, and Miles Spencer, and one great grandchild, Thomas McGrath. He spent his career as a partner of Spencer Stationary Company in Chester, PA and was a Navy veteran of World War II.

A man of deep faith, Philip was a longtime Elder and Bible teacher at Media Presbyterian Church where he fostered his love of music by singing tenor in the choir. He also volunteered with the Salvation Army for more than five decades. Always charming and quick with a joke, Philip loved to be around people and people loved to be around him. Anyone who met him couldn’t help but feel the warmth of his open heart, curious nature, honorable character, and compassion for others. He loved jazz music, had a nearly encyclopedic memory for song lyrics and could always be found spinning people around the dance floor at weddings and family gatherings, eye twinkling in his signature bow tie. A self-taught, talented watercolorist, many have Philip’s paintings proudly displayed in their homes. Philip will be profoundly missed, but his spirit will live on in the impact that he has left on so many.” ( From memorial program)

His many likes and talents were incorporated in his service, with the City Brass band playing jazzy songs, finalizing with “As The Saints Go Marching In” sung by those in attendance and Rev. Rose Sparrow lifting her glorious voice above all.

I love catching up with the cousins and they were there in multiples. It was a chance to find out who has gotten married, had babies and extended the family, since we were together for Phil’s brother’s memorial service (Robert White Spencer). I will be one of the many who will greatly miss having lunch with Phil and hearing his stories. RIP, Phil

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Hershey Family Reunion Newsletter

The Hershey family reunion is being held, August 28th in Paradise, at the usual spot.  I have put together a newsletter to keep the family updated on the information I receive.  It has been emailed to those folks who have been kind enough to share their email.  For all the rest, you are missing out.  You can reach me through the contact section of my website to get on the email list.

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Beardsley/Beardslee Family Reunions

This week I’m working on my Beardsley family and found a distant cousin.  Kevin helped me to connect my family to my elementary school best friend, Diane.  I’m beginning to think I’m related to all of my school buddies from Bradford County, PA.

I’m looking for a Beardsley who may have fought in the Revolutionary War (on our side) to get another supplemental in the DAR.  The Beardsleys I’m looking at are the family of my gr., gr., gr., gr. grandmother Ruth Beardsley who married Ziba Morse.  Her father was William, who was born in the middle of the Revolutionary War (1777) so couldn’t have joined the fray.  His father, Jesse, was born 1737, so could have been in the war.  This will take a bit more research to connect the whole way back to William Beardsley who immigrated here in 1625. Until then, I’ll just keep collecting cousins and hope to find more Beardsley/Beardslee’s to share research.  If you have information to share, please reply to my blog.

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Follow Up With Your Relatives

New Years is a good time to follow up with those relatives you haven’t heard from in awhile.  Did you get a Christmas card from them that just had their name.  What a waste of a stamp and card.  It only confirms they are still alive.  Give them a call.  You can check for their phone number on Switchboard, White Pages, etc.  then call them.  Give yourself lots of time, because once you have found them, they may have lots of family information to share. Make notes about your conversation, so you can follow up later on some of the stories they share. Then record them in your database.

Years ago my Aunt told me we were related to Carson Long of Carson Long Military School in New Bloomfield PA.  So I wrote to them and got a letter back saying, no, we were probably not a direct descendant because he was 16 years old when he died.  They did give me a name of a fellow, Harry Lenig, who could probably help.  I got in touch with Harry and he had been tracing my family for 40 years.  He shared lots of family information with me.  I thought I had hit the mother lode with all of his research.  When Harry died, he left all of his information with The Perry Historians.  If you have never been to visit The Perry Historian library in Newport, PA, you are missing a great treasure trove of information about Perry County people.  Needless to say, I’m a Life Member and find new information every time I visit.