Gary Spencer's Obituary
Gary Spencer
Professor Emeritus, Syracuse University
June 10, 1940 - May 19, 2023
Gary Spencer, of Miami, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on May 19, surrounded by his beloved family. Gary was born Elbert Gary Spitulnik on June 10, 1940 in Sayre, PA, to Isadore and Dorothy (Gimple) Spitulnik. He was raised in an observant Jewish home in Hornell, New York where Temple Beth El was central to his upbringing. Gary was a distinguished graduate of Hornell High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Alfred University, while a member of the ROTC program. He then completed a Master’s and Ph.D. in Sociology from Boston University. While studying in Boston, he met the love of his life, Barbara Burton, to whom he was blissfully married for 59 years. Together they had 4 children and 9 grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. Gary often referred to Barbara as “his life and his inspiration” and their love for each other and for their children was palpable. He was also blessed with countless nieces, nephews, and cousins, whom he likewise adored. In addition to his unwavering devotion to family, Gary was a great lover of knowledge, justice, and service to others. Upon completion of his Ph.D. he spent two years stationed at the United States Military Academy at West Point, before beginning his teaching career at the University of Florida. Next, Barbara and Gary moved to Manlius, NY where they raised their family. Gary held a distinguished tenure for more than 30 years at Syracuse University, where he was a beloved professor of Sociology, department chair, mentor, advisor, friend, and SU sports enthusiast. He had a particular interest and extensive expertise in the subjects of prejudice and discrimination, and was the recipient of many prestigious teaching awards. Gary had an innate ability to inspire students, faculty, family, and friends with his humor, compassion, intelligence, and charisma. In addition to teaching and rooting for the Orange, Gary also had a passion for classical music, theater, travel, computers, technology, and good reading material. He instilled a love of music and theater in his children, bringing them to Syracuse Stage, SU drama, and other local and Broadway performances.
Later in life, Gary and Barbara followed their dreams and the weather from Syracuse to Florida, where they enjoyed their retirement while traveling the country and the globe, remaining a constant presence in the lives of all of their children and grandchildren. To know Gary was to love him. Gary maintained friendships from every age and stage in his life, and people would comment that he made them feel like part of the family or even an honorary Spencer. His home was always full of friends, family members, students, and colleagues. No one was a stranger, and there was no such thing as “nowhere to go for the holidays” when Gary was around.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Burton Spencer; brothers Michael (Alice) Spitulnik and Robert (Sue) Spitulnik of Rochester, NY; children David Spencer, Elizabeth (Mark) Rosenthal, Steven (Dana) Spencer, and Abby (Scott Starenchak) Spencer; and grandchildren Julia, Parker, Reese, Alexandra, Darren, Naomi, Connor, Jonah, and Joshua. Gary will be missed tremendously by all who had the privilege of knowing him, including their golden doodle Ginger who hasn’t left Gary’s favorite chair.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Memory of Gary Spencer to either: Syracuse University Hillel, www.syracusehillel.org or Catholic Hospice of Miami www.catholichealthservices.org
Funeral information and memorial are available at www.forevermissed.com/gary-spencer.
Funeral services will take place in the chapel at Temple Beth Am: 5950 SW 88th St, Pinecrest, FL 33156 at 10am on Sunday, May 28th. Following services, friends and family are invited back to the Rosenthal home from noon-4pm. Additionally, we will be receiving friends and family who wish to celebrate Gary’s memory at the Spencer household on Friday May 26th from 7-9pm or on Saturday from 10am to noon. Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 932-2700
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