Kevin Arthur Spears – a devoted son, loving husband, steadfast brother, true friend, loyal and caring father, and terrific grandfather – passed away Sept. 14, 2025, surrounded by family after a short battle with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Kevin had a wry sense of humor and a friendly way that put people at ease. He loved Star Wars, Star Trek, Dr. Who and all things sci-fi. He was a master of trivial details about history, science and the world. He spent his life loving the outdoors and the creatures he could find there. He had dogs, cats that acted like dogs (according to him), lizards, birds, you name it. As a young boy in Colorado, he dug up a nest of fire ants – ouch! When he was older, he brought home a pregnant snake and delighted at the 11 babies that followed.
Kevin’s love of the outdoors extended to camping and fishing, which led him to join Scouts, where he remained until he earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
At Rutgers, he studied psychology and computer programming, although he had dearly wanted to become a pilot or an astronaut. His head was forever in the stars, watching the planets and looking for celestial events.
Kevin had a bait-and-tackle shop after he graduated from college, but a Nor’easter had other ideas about that endeavor. He worked for years at restaurants, serving everything from breakfast and lunch to high-end seafood. He left the restaurant industry to boom ships after oil spills, but that business went belly-up as well, so he began a career with a pool company that lasted over 30 years. He went from retail manager to service technician to service manager, a job he was still performing when he fell ill just over a month ago.
Kevin’s pride and joy were not his job, but his dear mother, Phillis, his wife of almost 34 years, Ellen, and his wonderful children and grandchildren. Kevin did for everyone, always putting himself last. He stepped up for moving and building furniture, driving, shopping and cooking. He always wanted to hear about the grandkids, even if he couldn’t be at every event. He and his dad, George, and son Stephen will join forces in heaven to watch over the rest of the family. Susan, Sami, Billy and Sarah will miss a dad who came through for them every time, no matter what they needed or wanted. He carried everyone’s burdens along with his own without complaint.
Sons-in-law Phil and Bryan will miss him at the Meadowlands, enjoying the tailgate and often cringing at the Giants and the final score. Kevin – Kev, Dad, Pop, Poppa – has provided care and love for his grandbabies, toddlers and big kids (even a teen now): Henry, Coralie, Lilah, Saylor, Dash and Daisy will miss him always and forever.
A celebration of Kevin’s life was held Sept. 21 on the south porch of the River House at Rumson Country Club.
The article originally appeared in the September 25 – October 1, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
