Ronald E. Spofford, 87, died peacefully with his family by his side, on May 4, 2017 at St. Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor.

Ron was born on Friday, December 13, 1929 to Eleanor (Greenleaf) and Dewey Spofford. He was born and raised on Barters Island and spent much of his life living on the island, something he was very proud of.

Ron worked more jobs than most. He started at a very young age as a boat hand on the Nellie G and at age 14 was working full-time at the family garage, Spofford Service Station, with his father and brother.

He enlisted in the Army and spent two years in Germany. When he came back he went into the photography business and was the photographer for the Boothbay Playhouse. Soon after, he began driving for Trailways which led to many years of bus tour business ventures. In 1962 Ron and Jane built the North Star Motel and ran the family business for many years. This is where Ron got his love for cooking. During the winter months he would travel to Florida to be a chef at the Seacreast Hotel in Delray Beach. Ron and several others were the first to bring bus tours into the region staying at the North Star with a highlight of a guaranteed sing along. Many fond memories were made at the North Star Motel. Ron decided to focus more on bus tours once selling the motel and went into business with longtime good friend, Ron Douglas, starting Northstar Tours. This took him all over the country touring. Once Ron decided to retire he became a full-time bus driver for Boothbay Region CSD, a job he did for 15 years and loved, and took so much pride in.

Ron was a member of the Boothbay Region Historical Society, Barters Island Association, Bayview Masonic Lodge # 196, and Jolly Eagle’s Coffee Club. In his younger years, he was a member of the Boothbay Fire Department. He enjoyed discussing and sharing regional history and family genealogy especially with his special niece, Diane Randlett. Gardening and flowers were also a love of Ron’s and taking long drives with Jane. Many visits from friends whether sitting on the porch or in the living room were a much loved thing. Ron’s open door policy to come visit was one of his favorite things.

He was predeceased by a brother, Gordon Carroll Spofford, and niece, Elizabeth Brown Kelly.

Ron is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jane; three children, Richard Spofford and his wife Bridget, Sally Carroll and her companion Rob Cornell, Laurie Simmons and her husband Richard; son-in-law, Dan Carroll; grandchildren, Will Carroll and his wife Amber, Samantha Carroll, Chad Carroll, Emily Spofford, Jared Spofford, Jacob Simmons, Lincoln Simmons, Shawn Simmons and Thomas Cornell; great-grandchildren: Syndey, Liam, Kayla, and Levi Carroll, and Bristol Spofford; aunt, Edna Greenleaf; sister-in-law, Marie Spofford; nieces: Diane Randlett, Tammy Devore, Bonnie Stover, Ellen Brown, Lisa Peterson; nephew, Dan Brown; cousins, Kay Brown, Albert and Robert Greenleaf; and many long lifetime friends.

A private graveside service will be held on Friday, May 12 followed by a public reception at the Boothbay Firehouse at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Barters Island Community Association, P.O. Box 390, Trevett, ME 04571.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, please visit hallfuneralhomes.com