Little League® International mourns the passing of Little League Baseball® World Series stadium usher Gary Spies. He was 72.
Mr. Spies was a native of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, and a resident of Loyalsock Township, Pennsylvania, at the time of his passing.
“While we value the service of all Little League World Series volunteers, and you asked any of them about Gary Spies, you’d hear he was simply one of the best,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “He always had a friendly word or greeting for the many LLWS guests and officials who passed his way at Lamade Stadium each August. It’s people like Gary who make the LLWS such a special event for thousands each summer. We’ll miss him very much.”
Beginning in August 1994, Mr. Spies volunteered as an usher at the Little League Baseball World Series played annually in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. World Series ushers are the attendants responsible for greeting and assisting visitors to the World Series stadiums. His familiar location was near Section 1, behind home plate at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. For many years, he also supported Little League on the local league level as a volunteer coach for his daughter Jenni’s softball team and as League President for Loyalsock Township Little League.
Following graduation from Wood-Ridge (N.J.) High School, Mr. Spies moved to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to attend Lycoming College.
Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Mr. Spies was employed by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Williamsport campus in the finance department. After retiring from UPMC Williamsport he worked part time for the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy as a bookkeeper. Mr. Spies also served with the Pennsylvania National Guard in the 109th Infantry Regiment based in Williamsport.
Mr. Spies was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Spies, and his sister, Janet. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karen; son, Brian; daughter, Jenni; mother, Madeline Spies; granddaughters, Sloan, and Riley; and many nephews and nieces.