Irwin “Bud” Edward Spalding, 97, passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at his home in Camden, Maine.

Bud was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 18, 1924. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Spalding of Honolulu and was a fifth generation descendent of Josiah Spalding, a ship’s captain who arrived in the Sandwich Islands in 1840.

Bud spent his early years on Oahu, traipsing through the narrow mountain valleys collecting land snails with his father, and learning to sail a little sailboat in the blustery winds of the Pacific Ocean. Bud attended Punahou School in Honolulu, then joined the class of 1945 at Harvard College, graduating with a degree in Engineering, after serving two years in the US Army during World War II.

In October 1950, he attended the wedding of a classmate in Camden, where he met Sonia Allen, of Philadelphia, who was a friend of the bride. A year later, they were married in the same church, beginning almost 70 years of marriage. For 40 years, Bud and Sonia lived in Wayland, Massachusetts, and raised five children while Bud worked in marketing, first for the Elliot Company in Boston and then at Jamesbury Corporation in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Summer vacations were always spent in Maine. Bud enjoyed being on the water in either a sail or motor boat, and had many funny stories about adventures with both. On some cold winter days, hardy friends were lucky (brave) enough to join him and Sonia, as they careened down the snow covered Mt. Battie road on their Flexible Flyer sleds.

He was passionate about land conservation and after he retired, he and Sonia settled in Camden, and they jumped into action. He volunteered for Coastal Mountains Land Trust and Merryspring Nature Center, and also supported the Island Institute, Maine Island Trail Association and Maine Coast Heritage Trust. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, with enthusiasm, dedication and humor. He was a lifelong learner and enjoyed classes at Belfast Senior College, as well as attending the Camden Conference, and as many library events as possible. He greatly enjoyed spending time doing work projects at the summer cottage in Camden, and relaxing doing work projects on St. Helena Island in Stonington. He was an avid tennis player into his 80s, and enjoyed international vacations, traveling often to see his children or close friends. Bud was a dedicated fan of Boston’s sports teams – the Patriots, Bruins, and Red Sox all had his loyal support.

He is survived by his wife, Sonia of Camden; son Curtis Spalding and wife Jody, of Everett, Washington; daughter Anne Spalding of Carona, Switzerland; son Andrew Spalding and partner Casey Misuraca of Forest Knolls, California; daughter Barbara Spalding of Camden, Maine; daughter Amy Spalding-Fecher and husband, Randall, of Pelham, Massachusetts; six grandchildren, Kaila Nicoli Cattani, Manuel Nicoli, Leilani Nicoli Ajetaj, Lucy Spalding, Maya Spalding-Fecher and Grace Spalding-Fecher; five great grandchildren; one niece, Elizabeth Hoxie of Makawao, Hawaii, and one nephew, Peter Boynton of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

He was predeceased by his beloved older sister, Elizabeth Spalding Boynton of Honolulu.

Bud’s cheerful and sunny disposition brought him a wide circle of good friends whose company he always enjoyed very much. The family would like to thank the team of caregivers – Janet Hocking, Meredith Crute, Gail McComiskey and Kelly Reynolds – whose loving care and humor made every day special and helped create a wonderful life for Bud.

A celebration of his remarkable life will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Coastal Mountains Land Trust or Merryspring Nature Center.

Memories may be shared at https://directcremationofmaine.com.