In memory of Spencer Brown.
1.6.34 to 5.10.07
Spencer was born in Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire in 1934. He started his working life as a Millwright and soon realised that this was not the profession he wanted, going down deep wells was not the life for him. He changed his career direction and went into high-class gents outfitting. After 2 1/2 years he moved to Peterborough as a buyer for a larger chain of shops. He was still only in his early 20’s.
It was whilst working in Peterborough that Spencer and Jean married. They had attended the same primary school but didn’t become close friends until their teenage years. They married on 5th September 1957 and lived in Peterborough until 1960. It was around this time that Spencer changed his selling to gent’s outfitters in the Lancashire and Cheshire area. This meant he was away from home all week, so Spencer and Jean decided to move to Denton. They have lived in the same house on Grass Mead since.
His selling knowledge took him into selling refrigeration to food shops in the area. This gave him the knowledge on how to repair them. This in turn led Spencer into transport refrigeration. Over the years this has evolved even further into out of hours call handling for any vehicle repair. In 1987 Nationwide Transport Breakdown Services (NTBS) was born. NTBS operates 24-hour, 365 days per year. Agents are used to carry out the repair. The business has since grown into handling coach repairs and if necessary providing replacement vehicles. Since 1987 Spencer has worked hard and with passion to develop NTBS. He had the vision to see the potential and the determination, persistence and energy to see it through. Over the years the business has grown from strength to strength and operates from Market Street in Denton. NTBS currently employs 23 people. Spencer was proud of NTBS – and rightly so.
Behind this business face there was a very proud, devoted and loving family man. Spencer has been the perfect role model for anyone wanting to observe what being a husband, father and real family man entails. His devotion to Jean was clear for everyone to see. It is with Jean that with Spencer’s amazing love for his family they have built this unique and happy family. Spencer and Jean have a daughter, Sally, married to Ian, and a son Stuart, married to Sue. Stuart has proudly followed in his Dads footsteps and along with Sue are both Directors of the company. Spencer has been blessed with two grandsons, Christopher and Steven. Spencer proudly watched Sally and Stuart grow up and make their way into adult life. He has seen them settle down and be happily married. Similarly, he has proudly watched and enjoyed seeing Chris and Steven grow into fine young men. Chris, the eldest grandson, secures the 3rd generation in the company and any spare time that Steven has from his studies at University also works in the business.
Memories become so important when someone dies. One thing Spencer has done for his family is to leave them with a wealth of fond and happy memories to look back on and to enjoy. As a family they have been able to enjoy many joyful times, all together at home and on holidays together over a number of years. All this Spencer dearly loved. Over this last week these memories have helped with the pain. These memories will stay and will keep him at the centre of their lives where he so loved to be!
Spencer loved to travel and enjoy new experiences. With Jean, they have travelled round the world twice. Travelling to The Gambia gave Spencer a new ambition. To help the children of the Brikama Primary School by providing much needed basic necessities, for example, writing books, pens, pencils and even a fist aid box. In recognition of all the generous support of the Brown Family a block of classrooms has been named and dedicated to the Brown and Barker Family. John and Diane Barker are family cousins, who along with Spencer have turned these dreams and ambitions into a reality. There generosity has really made a difference to the lives of the children at the school.
Spencer recently had the honour of being invited to join the Hazel Grove Rotary Club. He enjoyed his evenings there and as through out his life he was starting to make his mark. Trying to catch him without his lapel pin was fast becoming a challenge to all!
As many people are aware Spencer and Jean celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in September. This was the climax of a wonderful, loving and happy marriage and a milestone they have been so proud to achieve. It was whilst returning from a wonderful holiday in Botswana and Cape Town that Spencer took ill. Unfortunately, after a brave fight he passed away on the 5th October in Hillingdon Hospital. Many grateful thanks have been extended to the staff at the hospital and they will always be held in very high regard for the high skills of the doctors and nurses and for the kindness shown to his grieving family.
To sum Spencer up, he is the ideal example to us all and to quote when you are suggesting that “what you get out of life is always in proportion to what you put in” – he has always put enormous effort into everything he has done, not always to the benefit of his own health – but that was the way Spencer lived and we all know how difficult it was to change that! He was a dear, devoted family man and a dear friend who always spoke and chatted with everyone on equal terms, he spoke your language and always seemed to understand your feelings and moods better than anyone we have ever met.
His glass was always half full, through his sense of humour he taught his family how to laugh. He had genuine warmth and was generous in thought and deed. Our world is very short of people with the qualities and character of Spencer and it is going to be a much poorer place without him.
God Bless.
