(ORCHARD PARK) - A mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 16^th for former area Labor Leader Martin Donald Spencer - a South Buffalo native and proud member of Ironworkers Local 6 for 57 years, who also served as president of the Buffalo Building & Construction Trades Union - at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Orchard Park.

Spencer - a U.S. Navy Veteran who served on the destroyer U.S.S. Gurke, which played a crucial role in the Raid on Inchon, Korea - died Saturday in South Buffalo Mercy Hospital-Hospice Care at the age of 80, his son, Martin Spencer, Jr. - who serves as an assistant to International Boilermakers President Newton Jones and is the Assistant Coordinator of the Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program - informed WNYLaborToday.com today.

Spencer - born in South Buffalo and the youngest in a family of 10 - was also a 57-year member of American Legion Post 721, and a Union member for 57 years with West Seneca-headquartered Ironworkers Local 6, where he carried on in his father's tradition since 1906.  Spencer served in numerous capacities with the Ironworkers Union and served as its president during the 70s. He also tended bar at the Ironworkers Hall for more than 20 years.

President Ironworkers Local 6 President Jim Willis told WNYLaborToday.com that he will always remember Spencer for "his wit" and being a "good father and family man."

"What can I tell you - No matter if you were kidding around, joking or in an argument, you had better bring your 'A' game.  He was a witty son-of-a-bitch, and I sincerely mean that in a good way.  He was a good friend of mine and we were both third generation Ironworkers," Willis said. 

Spencer also involved himself with a number of community organizations, including serving as president of the Babcock Boys Club Alumni Association, as president of the St. John the Evangelist School Guild, and with the Holy Name Society.  He also found time to call bingo games every Wednesday night for 18 years, Spencer, Jr. said.

Spencer - who was noted for his great sense of humor, love of Irish music and being a political junkie - was very active in Democratic politics and was a Democratic Party Committeeman for more than 40 years.  His political interests put him on a path to becoming a legislative aide for the former New York State Assemblyman Richard Keane in the 145th District.

Spencer - whose two hobbies were Buffalo sports and bragging about his children, according to Spencer, Jr. - was recognized for his involvement in local politics and his contributions with an official citation from current New York State Assemblyman Mark Schroeder, which recognized Spencer as the first recipient of the "Lifetime Labor Recognition Award."

Spencer is survived by his wife, Ruth Hock, three children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, as well as by many nieces and nephews.

WNYLaborToday.com had interviewed Spencer, Jr. earlier this year at Orchard Park-headquartered Boilermakers Local 7.  He had this to say about his father and grandfather, who also served as president of Ironworkers Local 6:

Even though Martin Spencer, Jr. has had a grand total of 16 members of his family become Union Ironworkers over the years - including his father and grandfather, who both headed Buffalo's Ironworkers Local 6 - Spencer himself decided to take another path. 

Instead, he became a member of Orchard Park-headquartered Boilermakers Local 7, and over the years has risen in the ranks of the Union to become one of a small, but select, number of assistants to International President Newton Jones, as well as being named assistant coordinator of the Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program across the United States and Canada.

"It was my father who told me about the Boilermakers when I was eighteen.  What did I know?  I thought it was a drink," joked Spencer during a recent interview with WNYLaborToday.com at the F. Patrick Lyons Training Center within the Union's Orchard Park offices.

Spencer's father and grandfather both served as president of Ironworkers Local 6 over the years.  "I still have my grandfather's Union Book from 1906," said Spencer, who had been leaning towards becoming a Metal Arts Teacher when he was 18.  But once he took his father's advice, the rest - as they say - is history.  Now, Spencer's son is working in his 11th year as a Union Boilermaker, as well as "a couple of my nephews" who are also in the Union.

From The Buffalo News' Obituary Page:

SPENCER - Martin D. "Don" June 12, 2010, beloved husband of Ruth (Hock); dear father of Martin (Debbie) Spencer, Jr., Laureen Spencer and Patricia (Raymond) Beale; loving grandfather of David (Jessica), Timothy (April), Megan, Brendan and Daniel Spencer and Madeline and Allison; great-grandfather of Chelsea, Mackenzie, Ava, Brady, Brogan and Sadie; son of the late Martin F. and Mary E. (Wolansky) Spencer; brother of the late Marion (late Andy) Colern, Ellen (late Buddy) Barrett, Jane (late Rich) Crapo, James (late Jane), Ann (late Ed) Gaska, Robert (Rita), Ernest (late Jean), Audrey (late Eddo) Wertman and Grace (late Gus) Bartels; dearest brother-in-law of Doris Purcell. Funeral from the JAMES W. CANNAN FUNERAL HOME, INC. (Southtowns Chapel), 3155 Orchard Park Rd., Wednesday at 9:30 and from St. John Vianney Church at 10:00 AM. Friends may call Monday and Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Parkinson's Association of WNY. Marty was U.S. Navy Korean veteran, U.S.S. Gurke, a proud member of the Ironworkers Local #6 and a Legislative Aide for the N.Y.S. Assembly and 145th District. Online condolences at www.CANNANFH.com