Obituary of Leroy Nelson Spoor

Leroy Nelson Spoor He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia, of 40 years. Leroy was born on December 30, 1940 and raised on the family farm in Clinton Center, Wayne County. The son of the late Rexford and Bernice Gaylord Spoor, he attended Aldenville School for Grades 1-8 and graduated from Waymart High School in 1958. Leroy graduated from Mansfield University receiving his B.S in Elementary Education as well as receiving his Elementary Principal's Certificate and Master's Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton. He then acquired his Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility from Lehigh University. Leroy began teaching in 1962 at the J.J Koehler School in Honesdale. In 1963, he became Head Teacher and later Head Teacher at the Lincoln School. Leroy then, was appointed Elementary Principal at Damascus Township School and later Principal at the K-12 School until 1972. While at Damascus, he started the High School Soccer Program in 1968 and it stayed in place until the High School closed. Leroy left the area 1972, accepting the Principalship of the Pine Grove, PA K-4 Elementary Program. In 1976, he returned to Honesdale to become Elementary Principal of the Stourbridge and Lincoln Elementary Schools until his retirement in 1993. During this time he was a member of the NEIU Elementary Principal Association, serving as President and also serving on the State Board of Elementary Principals for several years. Leroy was a very active member of the community. Leroy served as Past President of the Honesdale and the Pine Grove Jaycees. He was also Past Master and Secretary of the Honesdale Lodge #18 as well as a member of the Honesdale Lions for 30 years where he served as President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Leroy was a 30 year member of the Northeasters Barbershop Chorus and sang in several quartets and a long standing member of the Wayne Choralaires. Leroy was on the Human Resources Center Board of Directors for almost 40 years and took great pride in the work of the center. Early in his career, Leroy served on the Board of the Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was a past member of Honesdale #3 Fire Company and was a Red Cross Volunteer at Blood Drives for 17 years which had him traveling all over the county. He himself was a 15 Gallon blood donor An active member of the First Baptist Church of Honesdale from 1962 – 1992, he served on the Boards, as Sunday School Superintendent, teacher and choir member. Leroy joined the Central United Methodist Church in 1993 where he was a member of the Chancel Choir and the Bell Choir for many years, He was active in the Methodist Men's Fellowship and was secretary-treasurer. Leroy was active in the Honesdale Little Baseball Association for 15 years as a manager of the Phil's Diner Phillies and the Honesdale Elks. He served as President and Secretary of the League for several years as well as managing the Honesdale Eagles in the Teener League for many years. His real joy was being the Sports Announcer for the local radio station for 30 years, often being referred to as "The Voice!" He broadcast basketball, football, and baseball for the three area school districts. Leroy was one of the founders of the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and was co-chairman of the Selection Committee for many years. He was inducted into the Hall in 2003. Since the 1940s, he has been an avid Dodger fan. After retirement, he and Pat spent the month of March in Vero Beach, until the Dodgers moved their Spring Training to Arizona. Leroy was a Scranton- Wilkes-Barre Red Barons Charter Season ticket holder in 1989 and continued until 2008. Leroy was an active member of the Grange growing up and served as Grand Master of Moosic Grange #1041. In later years, he joined Beech Grove Grange # 1089, where he was Grand Master. He was on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity for several years and also served on Honesdale Borough Council. He served as Master of Ceremonies for the Woodsmen's Competition at the Wayne County Fair for 20 years. One of Leroy's joys was donning his Santa suit at Christmas time and for nearly 50 years visited all over the community. He especially enjoyed the Day Care Centers. When he retired in 1993, he became active in the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR) and stayed active for the rest of his days. He served as President for 9 years, and Region #3 Director for 2 years , serving on the State Board of Directors. Leroy received numerous awards and achievements throughout his life including the 1995 Judge James Rutherford Community Service Award, Pennsylvania Lions Counselor Award for many years of exemplary service, the 2006 Mansfield University Citation Award for exceptional contributions to society through professional, civic and philanthropic work and leadership activities, and the 2016 John J. Dillon PASR Service Award from the Wayne-Pike Chapter of PASR. One of the highlights for Leroy and Pat was the awarding of the Ben Franklin Award for Community Service by the Community Foundation in 2011. He is survived by Sons; Lee, Salome; Leonard, Teresa: Lynn, Richard Brown. Stepchildren; Robert McHugh, Lisa Irwin; James McHugh, Rose; John McHugh; Jill Miller,Al; Jennifer McHugh, Daniel Kilbride. His grandchildren , who were the lights of his life, Chris, Matt, Eric and Haley Miller, Bayley Spoor, Sydney Shade, Patrick and Rebecca Spoor, Michael, Alex and Jackson McHugh, Craig Ciarrochi, Jason Barns as well as several great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a grandson, Cris Ciarrochi. Leroy was a giving and loving man and he will be missed by many! Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Wednesday, August 9, 2023 in the sanctuary of the Honesdale United Methodist Church with Rev. Eric Funk officiating. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 in the Wesley Room of the Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Dyberry Day Camp, The ARC of Wayne County, PO Box 1121 Honesdale, PA and/or the Fall Music Festival c/o Wayne County Community Foundation, 9th Street, Honesdale, PA. Arrangements are by the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, Honesdale, Pa.