Worcester-Doctor Ivan MacDonald Spear died peacefully in his home on October 18th at the age of 92.
Dr. Spear practiced orthopedic surgery intensively in Worcester for nearly half a century. In the course of his career he cared for thousands of patients regardless of their means. Dr. Spear did his residency at the Mayo Clinic, his medical studies at McGill, his college work at Bowdoin and his secondary studies at Worcester Academy. Dr. Spear’s kindness, insightfulness and optimism touched many.
Dr. Spear was pre-deceased by his wife of 53 years, Hope (Hartwell) Spear. Dr. Spear also leaves behind his second wife, Virginia (Herideen) Spear with whom he shared the past 12 years of his life. He leaves his children, Wendy S. Mayrose and her husband Bill, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Brian Hartwell Spear and his wife Monique, of Paris, France, and Penelope S. Kaczyk and her husband Eugene, of Worcester, MA; his grandchildren, Sara Mayrose Bergman and her husband Bob, John Mayrose, Emerson Stevens, and Leiden and Rafaelle Spear; his great grandchildren, Catherine and Hope Bergman; and his sister, Joanne McBrien.
Before choosing medicine, Dr. Spear concentrated his studies on ornithology. He remained a passionate bird watcher all of his life. As a teenager he seized an opportunity to sail with Macmillan on one of his arctic explorations. Later, he gave lectures on his experience to help pay for his studies.
Dr. Spear served in the US Army Medical Corps during WWII. He met Hope Hartwell while at Worcester Academy and they were married in 1945. In 1952, he settled in Worcester with his wife. He participated in numerous medical and social organizations local and national. He enjoyed plays on words and pranks, reading Guy Maupassant and reciting Robert Service; he freely expressed his opinions on matters scientific, historic, philosophical and political. He played the piano and the bagpipes sporting MacDonald plaids.
Dr. Spear cherished his native Maine and contributed generously to the renaissance of the Spear farm in Warren, in the family since before the American Revolution.
A graveside service for Dr. Spear will be held on Thursday, October 23rd at 10:30 am at Rural Cemetery, 180 Grove St. followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am in The Ellen Rogers Chapel in Rural Cemetery. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ivan’s memory to the Worcester Horticultural Society (Tower Hill Botanic Garden), the Worcester Art Museum, or Worcester Academy. Arrangements are in the care of CALLAHAN, FAY & CASWELL FUNERAL HOME, 61 Myrtle St.