Obituary of Albert Spence

Albert (Bud) Spence, a farmer, businessman, Christian and family man, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Saturday night, January 30, 2016. He was 93 years old. Albert, or his friends called him “Bud,” was born in Arlington, the youngest son of William and Mabel (Strong) Spence. He spent his early childhood in Arlington. Due to the stress of the Great Depression and with the urging of William’s doctor, the family moved to the rural farming community of Woburn in 1933 and hence began the early years of Spence Farms. Bud was part of the farm for its 62 years in business. He learned how to farm, the value of hard work, and how to be a savvy businessman. The farm and the ancillary businesses grew over time. First it was simply a farm selling the harvest in the wholesale market at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. In 1951, they opened a farm stand. In the 1960’s, with the purchase of land in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada, the family farm became a major Christmas tree distributor. Each year, they sold over 85,000 Christmas trees and 300,000 wreaths locally and as far south as Florida and west to St. Louis and Texas. In 1991, they purchased the Scott Paper Christmas Tree Division to strengthen their stance in the market. Ambitious to expand, they leased hundreds of acres of additional farm land and green houses in the area to increase their harvest potential. Further adding to the family business, they contracted with the City of Woburn to maintain the city’s parks, ballfields, and open space for several decades. Bud wasn’t afraid of hard work and was seen driving his tractor and sowing his fields when he was 85 years old. Every family member, as well as the grandchildren, cousins, in-laws, aunts and uncles worked with Bud at some point of their lives. They learned the value of hard work, creative thinking, pride in whatever you do, trust, customer service, honor and caring for others, and his “Do it Right” mantra. In addition to family the farm employed thousands of teens and adults over its lifetime. Bud was co-owner of Spence Farm in Woburn & Reading, MA, and Lawrence Station Evergreens, in Lawrence Station, New Brunswick. Bud was a member of the New England Vegetable Growers Association, New Brunswick Christmas Tree Council, Massachusetts Flower Growers Association, New England Nursery Association, and National Christmas Tree Association. Bud was a family man. He married his wife, Elvira Marion (Crawford) on May 24, 1947. She was also from a farming family located in Burlington. They shared 59 years together, raising 5 children and seeing their family grow to include 13 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. He and Vie enjoyed travelling by car, plane, or boat. They loved seeing the United States, Canada, and the world. Bud was blessed to be involved with all of his children growing up and as adults. He enjoyed working alongside them, sharing his lifetime of knowledge, and listening to their suggestions and ideas. He was playing ice hockey with his family into his 60’s. He was a fun and loving grandfather. He gave his grandchildren opportunities to work by his side and to have the responsibilities and privileges of driving equipment and manage businesses, which others their age would never have. He was always taking his family and friends out to breakfast, lunch and dinner at one of his many dining destinations. Bud also had a great circle of friends and gained a reputation of being late for dinner and other activities because he stopped to chat with a friend or business associate. Bud was the beloved husband of Elvira Marion (Crawford). Loving father of Thomas W. & his wife Elizabeth of Boxford, Nancy J. Dull & her husband Rev. Gary Dull of Altoona, PA, Terre E. Root of Woburn & her late husband G. Wayne Root, Barry A. “Buzz” of Woburn, and Trina M. Mayfield & her husband Rev. Kevin Mayfield of Ecuador. Brother of the late Ruth Courage, Frederick, Robert, and Gertrude Spence. Brother-in-law of Jean Callahan of Burlington. Proud Grandfather of Victoria Dowling, Alexander Warren, Thomas, Michael & Charles Dull, Tara Chapman, Trina Conley, Wayne & Thomas Root, and Jerelyn Kurty, Jessica Gardner, Juliann Fulks, & Jeffrey Mayfield. Also survived by 27 great-grandchildren. Bud accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior in 1970. He, and his wife Vie, considered the Church of the Open Bible their place to share and embrace their Christian faith. A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Open Bible, 3 Winn St., Burlington on Saturday, February 6 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Albert’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701, www.diabetes.org.