Edwin Fermino Spencer, of New Bedford and Fairhaven, MA, died peacefully on May 7, 2018 after a long illness. He was 91 years of age and lived a full life of service to God, Country, Church, and family.
Raised in Fall River, MA, Edwin was the son of Joseph Fermino Spencer and Maria Julia Lima Spencer. Edwin was the third of seven children. Being the son of Mary and Joseph obviously had an effect on Edwin as he went into carpentry, enlisting in the Navy during World War II where he served, as he was fond of saying, "as a third class carpenter’s mate on an all metal ship!” After the war, he returned home where he completed his high school degree. He subsequently enlisted in the US Army Air Corps which later became the Air Force and served in the Korean War earning the rank of Tech Sergeant. He was subsequently recognized for his service as a Cape Verdean-American veteran.
Upon returning to Massachusetts, Edwin was truly a jack of all trades. He enjoyed painting, carpentry, wood working, landscaping, tending his garden, hunting, reading, fishing, and cooking. Inspired by the work of the Boy Scouts, Edwin began a career of volunteerism through scouting, serving in various leadership capacities as scout master, troop leader, and on the Massachusetts Council for the Boy Scouts of America. He inspired many young scouts. His claim to fame was assisting in the organization of the 1960 National Boy Scout Jamboree in Colorado where he orchestrated an air lift by the US Air Force to bring in a traditional New England Clam Bake for over 56,000 scouts from around the country. In recognition of his distinguished service over 50 years in scouting and his positive impact on the lives of youth, he was awarded the Silver Beaver: the Boy Scouts highest council-level honor. Deeply devoted to the environment, he was subsequently inducted into the Wall of Fame at Boy Scout Camp Cachalot, Plymouth, MA, in recognition for his tireless efforts in conservation work to restore the forests around the camp after a devastating fire in 1964.
Edwin became very involved in his local catholic church, Our Lady of Assumption, in New Bedford, MA. While he considered joining the seminary, he eventually chose to pursue his ministry through his work in scouting and lay leadership in the church. He became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis and found a deep connection to St. Francis and his love for the natural world. Edwin married Izabel Leite Lima in 1970 and they had their only child, Michael, the following year. Edwin continued to pursue his many interests while raising a family as a devoted father and husband. He worked as a prison guard for the Bridgewater Correctional Facility and then as a Court Officer for the Bristol County Juvenile Court. Though prolonged illness marked his later years, he was always eager to reminisce and tell stories of the glory days with the scouts, landing a big striper, or enjoying the company of his family.
Edwin was predeceased by Izabel Lima Spencer, his wife of 26 years, his brother Fermino Spencer and his sisters Julia Maria Spencer and Adeline Baptiste. He leaves his sister Virginia Stevens of Fairhaven, MA and brother Manuel Spencer of Wareham, MA, and his sister Carol Almeida of Rockville, MD. He also leaves his son Michael Edwin Spencer and daughter-in-law Amy Cofone Spencer of Concord, NH, his grandchildren Aidan Michael Spencer and Katherine Izabel Spencer, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of Alden Court Nursing Home who thoughtfully cared for Edwin for many years and also the hospice team of Beacon Hospice who comforted him and eased his passing in his last few months.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Church, 233 County Street in New Bedford, where Edwin and Izabel were married. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery.
Arrangements are placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, MA 02740.