S.A. Spencer

SPENCER--S.A. (Sash), 76 Sash A. Spencer, a resident of Key Biscayne, Florida passed away on June 10, 2008 in New York following a brief illness. Mr. Spencer was the founder and chairman of Holding Capital Group, a private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, and money management. Born in Zagreb, Yugoslavia on June 22, 1931. He traveled with his parents in Europe during his early years before moving to the Philippines where he lived and was imprisoned during the Japanese occupation. Mr. Spencer graduated from American School in Manila, Philippines in 1948. He received an AA and BS Degree in Commerce, Malayan Colleges in 1946 and 1954 respectively. During this period he also operated his own company, Operated Mercantile, Inc, in the Philippines, which was in the import/export/services industry. Mr. Spencer was an officer in the US Army, OCS Artillery, 101st Airborne Division from 1955-1958. Following his discharge from the army he went on to earn his MBA with distinction from the Wharton School in Accounting at the University of Pennsylvania in 1959. After earning his MBA he was a Principal with McKinsey & Co., Inc., Management Consultants, in Washington, DC and New York from 1959-1966. In 1966 Mr. Spencer became President and CEO at the Briggs Manufacturing Company in Detroit, Michigan. He left in 1970 and was Managing Director of A.P. Moeller (Maersk Line), Copenhagen, Denmark until 1975 when he founded Holding Capital Group. Mr. Spencer was an avid art collector, racer of sailboats and a hiking enthusiast. Surviving are Mary M. Spencer, his beloved wife of 47 years and his sister, Linda Fales of Sunrise, Florida. Mr. Spencer was preceded in death by both of his parents and his brother Henry. A memorial service will be announced at a future date. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made payable to: Columbia University Dr. Schneller Cardiac Research. Checks should be sent to Dr. Schneller's office at: S.J. Schneller, M.D., 161 Fort Washington Avenue, Suite 546, New York, NY 10032.