Alanzo A Spencer

November 27, 1947 - December 25, 2021

Life Reflections Alanzo Alphonso Spencer lovingly known as “Sammy” was born in Kingston, Jamaica on November 27, 1947. Sammy departed this life unexpectedly on December 25, 2021. He was the first child of fourteen that grew up on Argyle Road and then he moved to Melson Street. As a child he became a Boy Scout. Learning to always be prepared was a life lesson that he instilled in his children. He attended Calabar Primary Elementary School. Then attended St. Michael Primary School. Education was very important to him, so he pushed his kids to work hard in school to get a good education. Family was always the first and the most important thing to him. This was shown when he finished school at age 13 to help the family. He started working odd jobs and then worked at a tropical shoe factory for five years. Later on he started working as a seaman. His first job was on a steam ship called The Adrine, next The Freeport Ship and then he finished his career as a seaman on a motor vessel ship called The Boehme. In 1963 Sammy met the love of his life Sonia. In 1968, he moved to Baltimore, Maryland, USA to join Sonia. He then later retired from the ship life in 1970. After moving to Baltimore, he began his career at MTA as a bus driver and then on the trains. He worked a lot of overtime. Sammy was a hard-working man that never shied away from work. He also believed in enjoying life and playing hard with his poker group of friends and coworkers. Moreover, he would lose track of time while enjoying his time off doing hobbies. He was always willing to help; whether it was his family, friends, or strangers. Sammy was very generous and always gave to others even if it was his last. He was devoted to family and friends and took care of his lifelong friends. He made everyone who crossed his path feel welcomed and loved. The words Sammy lived by were: “Don’t go out of your way to do bad. You might live to regret it.” Sammy was serious and stubborn, which his children saw at times, yet he was loving and caring. He always was a firm believer that children will be children. He was very dignified and straightforward. You knew what he was thinking. He taught those around him that, “you do what you say and say what you mean”. Moreover, he had a good sense of humor. He had an infectious smile and laugh. He joked with his children, taught them how to be respectful, and taught his sons to be gentlemen. Sammy liked the finer things in life. He loved jewelry and cars. His love of cars he passed onto his children. As they too love cars and like to tinker on them. Sammy taught everyone around him that you take care of what you have. Following his retirement from the MTA, he enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He looked forward to picking up his granddaughter Adriana after school daily. At family gatherings, Sammy would sit and watch everyone interacting. He always had a smile on his face. Sammy was preceded in death by his parents Victor George Spencer and Mavis Lilibell Wynter; his sisters Joyce, Carmen, Olive (Patsy), and Nadine; and his brother Vernal. Sammy is survived by his wife Sonia; his children: Anthony “Tony” Spencer (wife Pam), Marvin Spencer (partner Desiree), Alycia “Lisa" Spencer (only daughter) and Garfield Spencer; his step-children: Dual Belnavis (wife Karen) and Navral Wisdom; his 13 grandchildren; his 6 great-grandchildren; his siblings: Sandra Spencer, Sonja Spencer, Michael Spencer, Marie Spencer, Claire Spencer, Desmond Bent, Mercilynn Bent, Lana Chinkley; and a host of nieces and nephews, including Sharon, Diedre, and Noel Spencer (wife Angela), whom he considered to be one of his own children; and many dear friends.