Ronald Edwin Spinney passed away July 14 at Mid Coast Hospital after a brief illness. Born Feb. 8, 1948, in Boothbay Harbor, he was the son of Ralph and Marilyn Sherman Spinney. He graduated from Boothbay Region High School, attended MIT in Boston, and graduated from the University of Maine/Orono in 1971 with a degree in business administration. He and his wife own and operate Northeast Security Systems of Wiscasset.
Except for the time away to attend college, he lived his entire life on Southport. Upon graduation from college, he married Nancy Bell of Wiscasset and together they built a home and life on land formerly owned by his grandparents. Earning his Master Electrician’s license while still in college, he turned away offers to use the business degree out of the region, to form Harbor Electric Inc. As that business grew and electronic technology evolved, his interest focused on security systems. In 1977, he sold the electrical business to concentrate solely on security and Northeast Security Systems was created including a 24-hour central station for monitoring of burglar, fire and environmental alarms.
He was actively involved in the Maine Burglar and Fire Alarm Association for many, many years serving as its president, treasurer and clerk. A member of the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club since 1984, his passion outside of building a home, family and business, was boating and many happy days were spent cruising the Maine coast with family and a group of very close friends. In the past five to 10 years, as he stepped back from day-to-day operations of Northeast Security, he revived his lifelong passion for trains, and put most of his time and energy into the model railroad project at the Boothbay Railway Village where he also served on the board of directors.
He was predeceased by a son, Jason, in 1983.
He is survived by his wife and partner of 43 years, Nancy; daughter, Jennifer Anne of Denver, Col.; son, Jeffry, wife Melissa and son Chase of Alna; as well as a much-beloved grand-pug Buddy.
There will be a celebration of life at the Boothbay Railway Village, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Fri., July 18 and a private committal service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jason Spinney Scholarship, c/o Boothbay Student Aid Fund, PO Box 293, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538; or the Model Railroad Group, c/o Boothbay Railway Village, PO Box 123, Boothbay, ME 04537.
You are invited to share your condolences, memories, and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay.
