Philip Spiva

1938 - 2017

Dr. Philip G Spiva, 78

NORTH BROOKFIELD - Dr. Philip G Spiva,78, died peacefully at home on January 19, 2017.

He was born on May 1,1938 in Boston, MA to Charles and Sadie (Genesky) Spiva. He was raised in New Bedford, MA and went to high school at the Pomfret School in Pomfret, CT, of which he had many fond memories. Dr. Spiva received his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Boston University (1960), his Master's Degree in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire (1962), and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Oklahoma (1968).

He dedicated his life to working with children and adolescents in a variety of residential settings including; The Judge Baker Guidance Clinic (Boston, MA), Camp Wediko, (Hillsboro, NH), the Sweetser Children's Home (Saco, ME), and the Helena State School for Boys, where he was the Clinical Director (Helena, OK). His friend and colleague, Phil Bland, came with Dr. Spiva to North Brookfield, MA where they founded Valley View School, Inc., a residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed adolescent boys. He served as Director of the school for 46 years.

He was a member of the American Psychological Association, was a Fellow in the Massachusetts Psychological Association, and a fellow in the American Academy of Clinical Psychology. In addition, he was a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychologists in Clinical Psychology, a Fellow in the American Association of Children's Residential Centers, and served on the Board of Directors of both the National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children and the American Association of Children's Residential Centers.

Dr. Spiva was passionate about travel and theater. He traveled to exotic parts of the world, both in connection with student travel at Valley View School and for personal experience. He made over a dozen trips to Russia alone, where he arranged a number of cultural exchanges between the people of Abakan, Siberia and North Brookfield. He also made a number of visits to China (including Inner Mongolia) and India. His love of theater often led him to New York City where he attended dozens of theater productions both on and off Broadway. He had a large collection of playbills and collectibles from those productions.

Calling hours for Dr. Spiva will be held on Friday,January 27,2017 from 4-7PM in Pillsbury Funeral Home 44 Gilbert St. North Brookfield. In lieu of flowers the greatest honor to Dr. Spiva is to continue to refer your clients to his school, Valley View, where he has dedicated his life for 47 years. Donations/remembrances may be made in his memory to Valley View School, PO Box 338, North Brookfield, MA 01535. For an online tribute please visit:

Pillsburyfuneralhome.com