Roger Wells Spence

Roger Wells Spence, age 76, of Las Vegas, NV, formerly of Barrington, RI and Rockport TX, passed away April 25, 2018 at his home in Las Vegas, NV.  Mr. Spence was a nearly-50 year resident of Barrington, one who greatly loved the community, and who endeared himself to his neighbors and friends.   Roger was an avid sailor from his youth on Long Island Sound, and was an active member of the Barrington Yacht Club for more than 40 years.   He served as Treasurer at BYC, shortly before his move to Texas in 2009.  He was also a member of the local Lions Club chapter and was locally famous for hosting the annual “Riverside Open”, a very short 9-hole course on his riverfront property at King Philip Avenue every Memorial Day Weekend.

Mr. Spence was born October 5, 1941 in Port Washington, Long Island, NY, the second son of three to Wells W. and Emily Starett Spence.   He graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with an accounting degree, in 1964.  He became employed by Sears & Roebuck in Newburg, NY as the youngest controller in Sears’ history.  From there, he ascended the ranks of  ITT Industries of NYC as a senior level financial executive, based in Providence for nearly 20 years.  After the divestiture of his subsidiary, ITT Grinnell, in 1987, Mr. Spence took on various consulting roles as chief financial officer for several local small businesses including BX.Com of Providence and Shannon Yachts of Tiverton and Bristol, RI.  He retired in 2002 after many years of successful ventures in and around the Rhode Island business community.  He leaves behind many dear friends and colleagues in Barrington and throughout New England.

Mr. Spence was preceded in death by his father Wells W. Spence and his mother Emily Starett Spence.  Mr. Spence is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jacalun Spence, also of Las Vegas, and his two dear children Mr. Stephen Spence of Oak Harbor, WA, and Ms. Cynthia Spence of Brooklyn, NY    Also surviving Mr. Spence are three wonderful grandchildren, Mr. Christopher Spence of Killeen, TX, his wife Cammie and their daughter Abby, Ms. Stephanie Spence of Anacortes, WA, and Mr. Paul Spence, also of Oak Harbor, WA.   He is also survived by his older brother Warren Spence and family of Williamsburg, VA and younger brother William of San Mateo, CA. 

The Spence Family would like to invite all who knew and loved Roger to attend a Memorial Service in his honor on Friday, October 5th, 2018, at the Waterfront Tent of the Herreshoff Museum in Bristol, RI, from 2:00 - 5:00 pm   Light appetizers and refreshments will be served.  Please note, parking immediately adjacent to the tent is somewhat limited, and the Museum does not provide wheelchairs.   Any and all are welcome to attend this joyful celebration of Roger’s life. 

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