FROSTBURG — Hugh Caldwell Speir, 83, of Frostburg, passed peacefully on Friday, May 20, 2011, after a lengthy illness, at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center. The son of Agnes (Scollick) and Alexander Speir, Hugh was born on Dec. 10, 1927, growing up on Railroad Street in Lonaconing. Mr. Speir was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Jean Speir Kline and Alice Speir Flanagan and a nephew, Thomas Kline. Hugh is survived by and embraced by the love and caring presence of his dear wife of 57 years, Leah; devoted daughter, Debra Mann and her husband Alan, of Queens, N.Y., a son, David Lee Speir and partner Mark, of Frostburg, and nephew, James Kline and wife Barbara, of Laurel, Del. Mr. Speir served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II. Work took him and his young family to Baltimore where he was employed at Martins Aircraft Company. He then returned to this area, where he retired from the Celanese Fibers Corporation and the Potomac Fire Equipment Company selling Pierce Fire Apparatus for 40 years. He attended the Church of the Brethren, Frostburg. Hugh was a life member of the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department serving as Assistant Chief, President and Treasurer; also a member of the Corriganville Volunteer Fire Department serving as Fire Chief. He also served as President of the Allegany-Garrett County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association and also with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office Fire Police, serving as Captain and Training Officer. He was a member of Farrady Post 24 American Legion. His life was devoted to serving others. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department, 19303 Shaft Road SW, Frostburg, MD 21532; Corriganville Volunteer Fire Department, 12501 Corrigan Drive, Corriganville, MD 21524; St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, PO Box 2151, Memphis, TN 38101-2151 or the Alzheimer’s Foundation, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th floor, New York, NY 10001. Mr. Speir’s wishes were to be cremated with no services. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at durstfuneralhome.com . Cumberland Times-News, May 20, 2011

Change: 21 May 2011