AUGUSTA — Herbert Allen Spencer, better known as “Herb” or “Herbie,” 80, succumbed to Alzheimer’s on Monday, Aug. 20, just six days before his 81st birthday, at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

He was born Aug. 26, 1931, in Corinna, the fourth of 10 children born to Moses and Beryl Spencer. He attended schools in Stonington, graduating in 1947. He worked at his family’s garage until joining the U.S. Army in 1950. He served his country during the Korean Conflict and was discharged with a rank of sergeant in 1953.

Herb’s sister Pearl encouraged her friend Florence “Flossie” to write letters to her brother while he was in the Army. On March 12, 1954, Herb married Florence Mary Watkins and they were together until her death on Aug. 30, 1994.

They raised three daughters, living in Pennsylvania and New York, before settling in Phillips in the fall of 1965. Herb joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1957, and was honored as a 50-year member in 2007. When union work was not available, he worked as a self-employed contractor for the local community.

Herb’s skills were not limited to the role of electrician and he was often called upon by the community when anything needed to be built or repaired in their homes. In order to be prepared for these “impromtu repairs,” Herb built an inventory much to the chagrin of his family, in and around his home of cars, trucks, appliances, pipes and lumber.

He would help anyone who called and many times it was in the middle of the winter and in the middle of the night when a furnace broke down or someone had frozen pipes.

Herb always had time to stop and chat and with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, he would share a relevant story or some words of wisdom that he felt would improve your life. He loved to spend time in the Sandy River which bordered his Amble Street home, looking for rocks which led to his hobby of rockhounding and gold panning.

He filled his yard with his special rock finds and shared this love of rocks with his nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Herb loved all of his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them, sharing his special stories and going to their activities.

Herb became a resident at the Maine Veterans’ Home on Aug. 7, 2006, where he was fortunate to be cared for by such loving nurses and staff. Everyone there was like a second family and they will be forever appreciated by his children.

He is survived by his three daughters, Cindy Worthley and her husband, Michael, of Phillips, Bonnie Burnham and her husband, Steve, of Avon and Donna Brackett and husband, Michael, of Rumford; seven grandchildren, Amanda Brackett of Freeport, Miranda Brackett of Columbus, Ohio, Patrick Worthley of Orono, Spencer Worthley of Rockport, Taylor, Adrianna and Ashley Burnham of Avon; his two sisters, Charlotte Billings of Los Gatos, Calif., and Pearl Mullican of Deer Isle; his four brothers, Richard Spencer of Stonington, Gordon Spencer of Naples, Fla., Everett Spencer of Deer Isle and Leroy Spencer of Honolulu, Hawaii.

He was predeceased by his wife, Florence “Flossie”; his parents; and his three brothers, Wilson, Caroll and Leslie.

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