Michael Spree, a recent member of our regular congregation, passed away in hospital in North Wales on 6 January.
Michael’s son Robert has sent us the following:
Dad was a Medway man through and through residing in Chatham, Rochester, Rainham and Chatham until he moved to Rhuddlan, Denbighshire in mid-2005. He worked locally as an Accountant and attended St.Marks Church, Gillingham for approximately 30 years. He passed away peacefully spending his last hours with his family and listening to classical music.
He attended Chatham Salvation Army between 2001 and the middle of 2005. (Mum paved the way to Wales in late 2004). He wasn’t a “front man” or a leader but he was happy to help in the background. Together, they attended the 1st Alpha Course that was run after they joined. Dad helped with the “housekeeping” for the next 3 courses. Even at a time when he struggled to do some of the same tasks for himself he was able to do them to support the Course. Mum recollects that he enjoyed a couple of the Away Days too.
I know they both felt welcome and accepted in the Corps and they both became Adherents. Dad enjoyed the music too, even though the “wrong music” was sometimes used! (Mum specificaly asked for this term and I could ‘hear’ a smile, if that makes sense). After 30 odd years attending a Church I think he enjoyed the challenge of singing the same words but to a different tune. He also enjoyed being a Prayer Partner for a couple of the children too.
They continued to worship with The Salvation Army in North Wales
He leaves a void in the lives of Daphne; Robert, Joyce & Connor and Chris, Jenni, Sophie & Noah.
Michael’s funeral will take place at The Salvation Army Hall, Church Street, Chatham (see map below) on Thursday 18 January at 1.30pm and afterwards at The Medway Crematorium, Bluebell Hill, at 2.20pm. Both services will be led by Major Malcolm Westwood who, with his wife Angela, was the Commanding Officer at Chatham when Michael and Daphne first attended the Corps.
Click on the map for a larger version