Nicholas Spondike, Jr. of West Monroe, Louisiana passed away on September 10, 2019 at the age of 92. He was born on April 9, 1927 to Nicholas Spondike, Sr. and Helen (Kenosh) Spondike in Sharon, Pennsylvania.
Nicholas had a full and extensive life with many meaningful experiences gathered along the way. He had a very rich and colorful childhood, full of various pranks and antics, which he fully enjoyed to the hilt and loved to talk about frequently throughout his life. Nicholas was very sharp in his schooling and a keen athlete, as well, excelling at both golf and basketball throughout his high school career. Following high school, he joined the United States Navy in March of 1945 where he was assigned to active duty aboard the USS Fiske. Upon his honorable discharge, Nicholas went on to marry his best friend's cousin, and the light of his life, his beloved wife, Alice (Potock), on August 18, 1948.
Nicholas was always a bright, intelligent and witty man. Following his time with the U.S. Navy, he became the first in his family to graduate from college, attending Marietta College, where he lettered in both golf and basketball throughout his college years. Nicholas was an expert draftsman, and, after his college graduation, he went on to become one of the early pioneers in the software engineering industry, which he eventually retired from in the late 1980's, after a long and industrious career. Nicholas and his wife, Alice then moved south to a beautiful lake home that he designed himself in West Monroe, Louisiana, where they could be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Nicholas was always a loving father and grandfather and a true and loyal friend. He could always be counted on throughout life to join his friends on their various hunting or fishing jaunts, or to take part in the various golf outings that came his way. Winning the Westinghouse Golf Tournament for 15 straight years was an achievement he was especially proud of, but the list of his accomplishments and accolades is quite long and varied.
Nicholas was of the Catholic faith and is survived by his son, Nicholas Spondike, III and wife, Beverly of Spanish Fort, Alabama; daughter, Allyson Spondike and husband, Tom Longo of Lone Oak, Texas; grandchildren, Nicholas Spondike, IV and wife, Jennifer of Yorkville, Illinois and Nathan Spondike and wife, Susan of Woodhaven, New York; and great-grandchildren, Reagen, Grayson, and Cylah.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Spondike; his parents, Nicholas, Sr. and Helen Spondike; and his sister, Doris Ross.