Charles R. Spence

On the morning of January 31st Charles R. Spence passed away at the Cleveland Clinic.  He was born October 23, 1939 to Robert L. and Florence I. Spence in Washington, PA. The family later moved to Cleveland where Chuck attended East High School.  

After high school he entered the U.S. Navy and served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid. After an honorable discharge he apprenticed and became a Union Journeyman Meat Cutter at Fisher Foods/Fazio’s in Willoughby. 

In 1971 he Married Bonita DiMare and moved to Ashtabula.  In 1978 the couple opened Ricardi’s Pizza Shop on West Ave. In 1979 Chuck partnered with his nephew Anthony Silva and opened Spence-Silva Supermarket on W 11th St. He served as owner, manager, and the store’s Meat Cutter.  

He was hired by Ashtabula Area City Schools in 1991 to run the Central Kitchen. He also began catering numerous weddings, open houses, & golf outings. He retired after 17 years from the schools but continued his deep enjoyment of feeding Ashtabula through catering, regretfully turned down more catering jobs than he was able to take as the hours standing became too much, but if you knew him, or your dad knew him, he probably figured out how to do your wedding, he never liked letting a friend down.

He enjoyed golfing, watching sports, volunteering to drive Veterans to the VA Hospital, being with his many friends, going to dinner on Friday nights with his Group, talking to people on Facebook, and especially being Poppy to his Grandkids.

He was a member of Mother of Sorrows Parish, EAC, Sons of Italy, North End Club, The American Legion, and the Elks, where he served as Head Trustee and started Wednesday Spaghetti nights. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mother-in-Law Jennie DiMare (Annick), Brother Robert, Sister Patricia, Brothers-in-Law Ralph Meola, & Joseph Minardo, Sister-in-Law Genevieve Meola.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie; sister Bonnie Minardo of Willoughby; children Jeffrey Spence of Panama City, FL, Colleen Jimenez of Tampa, FL, Charles K. (Rachael) Spence of Navarre, FL, Rick (Lisa) Pugliese of Ashtabula and Scott Spence of Ashtabula; grandchildren Christina, Serena, Nina, Alexa, Devin, Megan, Jacob, Jennie, Ralphie, Mattingly and Killian "Bubba"; Five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020 at Our Lady of Peace Parish-Mother of Sorrows Church, 1464 West 6th St., Ashtabula. Private Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling Hours Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the Fleming-Billman Funeral Home, 526 West Prospect Road, Ashtabula. To share a memory, please visit www.silva-hostetler.com . Arrangements are being handled by the Silva-Hostetler Funeral Home, Barberton, OH (330-825-8700)

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