David Spear

David Spear, 88, passed away on Tuesday, January 06, 2015 at the Cayuga Ridge Nursing Facility.

Arrangements are pending.David Alexander Spear, aged 88, formerly of Buffalo NY, passed away January 6, 2015, at Cayuga Ridge Health and Residential Community in Ithaca NY. David and his twin brother Daniel Joseph Spear were born January 31, 1926 in Pittsburgh PA, to parents Maurice Wolf Spear and Lillian Newman Dreifus Spear.


David's father Maurice and Maurice's brothers Nathaniel and Alexander were owners of the very successful Spear & Company furniture chain, with stores in Pittsburgh PA, New York City and other cities. As a boy, David attended Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh PA and later Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, OH. After Maurice's untimely death in 1938, Lillian moved with her young family to Beverly Hills, California. In World War II, David served in the Infantry in France and Germany. His oldest brother James Dreifus Spear served in the Canadian and U.S Air Force, and was killed in action in 1944. Brothers Maurice Jr. and Dan also served their country.
After the war, David graduated from Miami University in Oxford OH, receiving a B.A. in Business. He married Joan Augusta Arnstine on November 27, 1947 in Cleveland OH. David was for many years a men's clothing salesman for Weitzenkorn's in Pottstown PA. He and his brother Dan operated Daniel Warren Furniture in Buffalo NY. In later years, David was a menswear buyer and sales consultant for Jenss Department Store at the Boulevard Mall in Amherst NY, where he was popular among staff and customers alike.

David enjoyed taking his family out to dinner; everyone fondly remembers meals at favorite restaurants with him. He was an avid stamp and coin collector, enjoyed classical music, and was a regular Buffalo Philharmonic concertgoer. Beneath his quick-witted humor, David was a kind, patient and generous family man, and a good friend.
David is survived by his brother Dan of Rochester NY, son James Spear (Susan) of Ithaca NY, daughter Barbara Fetonte (Dan) of Austin TX, grandsons Stephen Spear (Patricia) of Buffalo NY, Michael Fetonte and Anthony Fetonte of Austin TX, and great grandson Matthew, as well as several nieces and nephews. Many former Jenss employees also fondly remember him.

David was predeceased by Joan, his wife of 61 years, who died in 2008. His older brother Maurice Spear Jr. (Vera), of Scottsdale AZ died in 2013.

David's family wishes to thank the staff of Cayuga Ridge for their compassionate cheerful care of David in his last illness. Bangs Funeral Home of Ithaca NY handled arrangements. There will be no service, but a remembrance dinner with family and friends will be held in Buffalo at a later date.