Past President Michael J. Spear Passes Away

Obituary

Michael J. Spear, 67, of Exeter Township, passed away surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, January 4, 2020, in his home. He was the husband of Valerie A. (Marut) Spear, with whom he shared 45 years of marriage. Born in Hazelton, PA, he was the son of the late James H. Spear and Ruth A. (Lusher) Spear of Florida. Michael graduated from Central Columbia High School in Bloomsburg and was a member of St. Catharine of Siena R.C.C.--Exeter Township. Michael worked as a police officer for most of his career. He was then promoted to Chief of Police with Central Berks Regional Police Department in November 1996. Michael was voted Police Officer of the year in 1988 by the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #71 and in January 2005 was hired by the County of Berks, 23rd Judicial District of PA as the Jury Program Supervisor. He ran the entire Jury Program for 8 years until he retired on December 31, 2013. Michael was head golf coach at Central Catholic and Berks Catholic High Schools from 2001-2018 during which time they became Berks County Champs and he was named Coach of the Year in 2014. In addition to his wife, Michael is survived by his daughter Jessica M. O'Rourke (Shawn), Cumru Twp., his son Matthew M. (Lauren), Lansdale; grandchildren Nolan, Natalie, Theo, Emerson; siblings Elaine, Jimmy (Donna) and Rick; and nieces Erin, Rachael and Julia. Visitation with family and friends will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:00 am in St. Catharine of Siena R.C.C.--Exeter Township, 4975 Boyertown Pike, Reading. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Berks Catholic Golf Team, Attn: Bill Hess, 955 E. Wyomissing Blvd., Reading PA 19611 or Pennsylvania Concerns of Police Survivors, PO Box 162, East Berlin, PA 17316. Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com