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Most Rev. Francis John Spence, JCD, DD, LHD, LLD

Most Rev. Francis John Spence, JCD, DD, LHD, LLD, Seventh Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston. Archbishop Spence passed away suddenly and peacefully at his home in Kingston on Wednesday morning, July 27, 2011.
He was born on June 3, 1926, in Perth, Ontario, and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Kingston on April 16, 1950. After serving as the Archbishop’s secretary and Assistant Pastor at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kingston, from 1950 to 1952, he studied at the Angelicum University in Rome, where he obtained a Doctorate in Canon Law in 1955. He then returned to Kingston as Assistant Pastor at St. Mary’s Cathedral and held various Archdiocesan responsibilities, including that of Director of the Canadian Register, until his appointment as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Marmora, in 1966. He attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council as a ‘peritus’. He was ordained a Bishop at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kingston on June 15, 1967, and served as Auxiliary Bishop to the Military Vicar from 1967 to 1982, as Bishop of Charlottetown from 1970 to 1982, and as Ordinary for the Military Vicariate of Canada from 1982 to 1989. He was installed as Archbishop of Kingston on June 30, 1982, where he served until his retirement on August 13, 2002, at the age of 76. Archbishop Spence sat on various commissions and committees of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and served as its President from 1995 to 1997.
He is survived by his brother, Dr. William Spence (Dr. Peg Spence) of Toronto; his nephews and nieces, Dr. Paul Spence (Cathy) of Louisville, Kentucky; Dr. Frank Spence (Dr. Nanette Alvarez) of Calgary, Alberta; Dr. Sandra Spence of San Francisco, California; William Spence (Sheila) of The Hague, The Netherlands; Dr. Julie Spence (Jeff Engel) of Toronto; John Spence (Susan) of Toronto; Jane Spence (Andrew Reid) of Kitchener; and by many great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, William Spence and Rose (Jordan) Spence.
Archbishop Spence is fondly remembered by the clergy, religious, and laity of the Archdiocese of Kingston; by members of other faith communities in this city and beyond; and by his brother bishops of Canada, with whom he worked with absolute dedication for so many years. His keen mind, spirit of service, and sense of humour were appreciated and admired by all who knew him.
Archbishop Spence will lie in state at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 279 Johnson Street, Kingston, Ontario, (613) 546-5521, on Tuesday, August 2, 2011, from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, at the Cathedral. A reception will follow at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 285 King Street East, Kingston.
Rite of Committal with Prayers will take place on Thursday, August 4, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the family plot in Perth.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Priests’ Benefit Fund of the Archdiocese of Kingston would be appreciated. (Donations by cheque please) In the care of Gordon F. Tompkins Funeral Home, Central Chapel, 49 Colborne Street, Kingston, (613) 546-5454.


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