George E. Spicer, accomplished newspaperman
George E. Spicer, 70, of Dover passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018.
A native of Sussex County, he graduated from John M. Clayton High School before attending West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va.
Throughout his life, he had worked primarily in the newspaper and printing business. At one time or another he had been an editor, pressman, writer, newspaper design specialist, computer programmer, and technician. Later in life, he took classes and became a licensed massage therapist.
After college, he served as editor of several publications on the Delmarva Peninsula, including the Delmarva News and Beachcomber while associated with Coastal Communications newspaper group. He was also managing editor of the Army Times, a worldwide civilian enterprise publication located in Washington, D.C., for nearly eight years. He returned to Delaware in the early ‘80s to become co-owner of Beach Publishing Co., a newspaper and printing firm in Bethany Beach. He joined the Dover Post Company in 1986 where he helped with the editing of newspapers the company printed for other businesses. He then managed the sheetfed printing operation before moving to the computer field. He was responsible for setting up the computer operations for the Dover Post Co. and all its associated offices during the 23 years he worked there. He became owner of his own information technology consulting business in 2010.
He had a lifelong interest in magic and was a performing magician at one time. He had been the president of a Society of American Magicians chapter in Virginia. While living in the D.C. area, he was also a member of the Virginia Magic Society and the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Along with a friend, Odis Price, he operated the PS Magic Club, an association for young magicians in the northern Virginia area.
He was an avid reader and had an extensive book collection. He enjoyed music and playing the guitar and was an officer of the Eastern Shore Bluegrass Association. His favorite activity was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Roxie Spicer; and brother, Charles T. Spicer Jr.; he is survived by his wife, Kathleen; daughter, Ann Phillips of Wyoming; son, Thomas of Smyrna; two stepdaughters, Jennifer (Chris) Gillespie of Frederica and Kristin (Roland) Patterson of Harrington; 17 grand/stepgrandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
His wish was to donate his body to help the medical community find new cures and improve treatments for others.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements by Schoenberg Memorial Chapel.
