John Spencer Standish

Standish, John Spencer VERO BEACH, Fla. John Spencer Standish, 91, passed away peacefully after a short illness on September 22, 2016. Affectionately known as Spencer, he was predeceased by his parents, Florence Spencer and John Carver Standish. Spencer is survived by his wife, Patricia; his son, John and wife Pamela; his daughter, Christine and her husband, Christopher Wilk; and his grandchildren, Spencer and Hope Wilk, Jay, Libby and David Standish. Spencer is also survived by Patricia's children, Sylvester Battaglia, Mary Jo and Ray Kelly, Margaret and Nelson Glassman, Anthony Battaglia, Stacie and Tony Pappas, Philip Battaglia and Patricia's grandchildren. A graduate of the Albany Academy, Spencer attended college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying business in the Business and Engineering Administration program. Upon graduation in 1945, Spencer joined the Forstmann Woolen Company in Passaic, N.J. Spencer served in the U.S. Army in 1946 and after active duty he served in the Enlisted Reserve Corps. where he earned the rank of master sergeant before he was honorably discharged. After leaving the Army, Spencer rejoined Forstmann for a short period before joining the Albany Felt Company in 1952 as the plant manager of Albany Felt's new plant in Cowansville, Quebec, Canada. Over his working life, Spencer led the expansion of Albany International Corp. with the help of thousands of colleagues from operations around the world. Spencer became chairman of the board of Albany International Corp. in 1984, a position he held until he retired in 1998 when he became chairman emeritus. Spencer was a member of several clubs and served on numerous boards of charities in both Vero Beach and Albany. During his lifetime he was amply recognized with awards and honors for his contributions to the communities he lived in. A committed philanthropist, Spencer generously gave charities his time, talent and treasure. He also exhorted others to do the same. The family wishes to thank everyone who cared for Spencer during his illness. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mr. Standish's family, Thursday, September 29, 4 to 7 p.m. in the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen St., Albany. Funeral services, Friday, September 30, at 12 p.m. from the McVeigh Funeral Home, thence to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Albany at 1 p.m. Interment in Albany Rural Cemetery will immediately follow the church service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to either: The J. Spencer Standish Endowed Chair in Neurosciences at Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Ave, MC 119, Albany, NY 12208; the St. Peter's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at St Peter's Hospital Foundation, 310 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208; or the V.N.A. Hospice House 1110 35th Ln #1, Vero Beach, FL 32960.