Douglas J. Spence, 85;
With Twin Brother,
Lived Eventful Life
ONEONTA – Douglas J. Spence, 85, who worked on Apollo 8, met the Beatles and spent 31 years in the newspaper business in Florida, died at his home in Ormond by the Sea, Fla., on Dec. 18, 2018.
He and his twin brother, Donald, were born in Oneonta on March 28, 1933, to the late John and Betty Spence.
After graduating from Oneonta High School in 1952, the twin brothers joined the Navy. Doug served as a radarman, sailing around the world for four years.
His first crossing of the Equator took place near Singapore, changing his onboard status of “slimy polliwog” to “trusty shellback” with the traditional King Neptune’s line crossing ceremony.
