John David Spencer, of Halifax, was born October 25, 1944 and died March 11, 2013, at the age of 68 of an unexpected heart attack. He was the son of the late J. Bing and Elizabeth (Smith) Spencer of New Glasgow. John leaves his wife Nancy (Murphy), son Kevin (Jacquie), daughter Kimberly (Joe), grandsons Bradley and Noah, brother Donnie (Helen), sister Anne. He was predeceased by his brother Robert (Anne).

John grew up in New Glasgow amid engines, boats and cars in various states of disarray, construction, and repair. He was the original project man. His father gave him his first broken down engine at 11 and told him he could keep it if he fixed it, music to John’s ears. Since that day, the barn at his house was full of kids of all ages looking on, helping with John’s various projects. His favorites included building boats and working on anything with wires and lots of parts. Not surprisingly John became a mechanical engineer and his creative childhood lead to an innovative, successful business, Fossil Power Systems, which he was dedicated to up until the day he died. He knew his business inside out and could solve problems and create solutions with such confidence - he was a natural leader. His latest projects and interests were alternative energy, especially solar heat.

John was an outdoors man. He loved fishing, hunting, boating and gardening his tomatoes. He had a knack for finding rare motorized vehicles, bringing them home and parking them in his driveway, a trait he passed on to his son. To most they would look un-repairable, but to John an exciting new venture. He was athletic and determined. He loved hockey, golfing, windsurfing, kite-boarding, and excelled at all. John was a master chef on his barbecue, which he personally improved with some machine tools and a blowtorch. He improved a few other barbecues in his neighbourhood over the years too. Cooking ribs were his specialty. John loved his camp where he enjoyed countless evenings of playing cards with his friends, and fishing with the Grey River crew at “Spencer’s Run”.


John and Nancy had over forty happy years together. They enjoyed a full and loving life, gave each other stability, respected and supported each other’s interests while also providing the space to be independent. Their relationship and love is an inspiration to all. John was an incredible father, not just to his own children but to the neighbourhood kids too. His garage and home were always open for everyone to drop by. He was always willing to have a wrestle, cheer at the sides of sports fields – especially for “Twinks”, teach you how to rebuild cars, rescue school projects, build go carts, take you wakeboarding for hours, and everything was done with gumption. John was a wonderful, much loved uncle, and recently a doting grandfather known as JD (Grampa sounded too old).

John was born mischievous and fun-loving, he loved to get a rise out of everyone. He was great story-teller, loved to wield a propane torch, and at times the fire extinguisher at parties. He always ended up on the dance floor with tie around his head. John was kind and generous to all that knew him. He touched the lives of everyone he met. He was larger than life. He was a loyal friend to old and young.

John will be terribly missed by everyone that had the privilege to know him. He is not gone, he will never be forgotten. He is just not here.

Visitation will be held at 6-8 pm, Friday March 15, 2013 at JA Snows Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr. The memorial service will be at 11 am Saturday March 16 at Bedford United Church, 1200 Bedford Hwy. Internment at 1 pm, Sunday March 17, at Waternish Cemetary, Guysbourough County.

Flowers from the family only please. Donations may be made to the Atlantic Salmon Federation, asf.ca/donate.html or charity of your choice.