Joseph "Joe" Spair

Obituary

Joseph Spair, age 61, passed away peacefully on June 8th, 2020 at his home in Oceanside, CA. He was born May 10th, 1959 in New Jersey to John and Lois Spair. He had 9 brothers and sisters. He was a retired US Marine Corps Major and spent over 40 years with the service. He was truly a leader and commanded Marines to have respect for themselves and the ones around them. Joe loved the outdoors and his family very much. Joe had touched many people's lives in a positive way. Family, friends, and others whose lives Joe touched are invited to visit him and pay respects at his final physical resting place, Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.

Josh Spair July 20th, 2020

I remember getting notes and videos from Dad and his unit. These were some of the hardest times for me as a kid but I love every single memory I have. I love you so much and always here for you.

1978-1979, Echo Co, 2nd Bn, 9th Marine Regiment (2/9)
1979-1981, Alpha Company 3rd Recon Bn
1982-1984, Charlie Company 1st Recon Bn
1987-1988, The Basic School
1989-1990, 0302, Fox Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd Marine Regiment (2/3)
1990-1992, Alpha Company 3rd Recon Bn
1995-1996, Amphibious Warfare School
1997-1999, 0302, H&S Co, 1st Bn, 5th Marine Regiment (1/5)
1999-2000, 0302, 1st Marine Division, I MEF
2000-2002, MCB Camp Pendleton

May 10, 1959 - June 8, 2020

Sarah Schuyler July 16, 2020

When you would be gone on deployment for 6 months at a time we use to write back and forth. I use to end each letter with "I love you very very very very I can't even stop saying 'very' much"... over time we use to both just write "I love you very very.. you know" and that is something I am passing onto my kids.

Sarah Schuyler July 16, 2020

When I was a baby you wrote me a song that began "It was a summer morning in the Aug of '82"- You played your guitar and that song was so special to me that when you played it I ran away crying. It became almost a joke in our family. Want Sarah to cry? Have dad play her baby song, or "He's Alive" the Don Francisco version. Why would I run away? It was because "one day you won't be able to sing me these songs anymore". I guess in some way I have been mourning your loss from way before it happened. I wish I had a recording of you singing them... pre smartphone days. Last we spoke I told you that aside from meeting Jesus the next thing I look forward to in heaven is you with you playing those songs for me.

Josh Spair July 20th, 2020

I remember getting notes and videos from Dad and his unit. These were some of the hardest times for me as a kid but I love every single memory I have. I love you so much and always here for you.

Miramar National Cemetery

Joseph Spair
BIRTH 10 May 1959
DEATH 8 Jun 2020 (aged 61)
BURIAL
Miramar National Cemetery
San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA
PLOT SECTION 16 SITE 2204

Heaven gained a beautiful soul Joe Spair on June 8th 2020. Dads pain is no more. Navigating a proper memorial and burial during Covid has been difficult with limitations of gatherings. His burial service will be attended to by close friends and family at Miramar Cementary tomorrow, Friday June 19th in San Diego. Following this we are inviting any that wish to show their respects to join us at Mance Buchanan Park 425 College Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92057 From 1pm to 3pm. This is an informal picnic type gathering to celebrate his life and inpact. If you can not make it please leave a story, memory or message on dads page. I know, personally, your stories and love are a source of great comfort and will be treasured. Thank you all.

So sorry for your loss Sarah as well as your family!

David R Schuyler

Sending our thoughts and prayers to you and your family! So sorry Sarah!

Kristyn Hathcock

Sending our thoughts and prayers to you and your family! So sorry Sarah!

Kristyn Hathcock

His room in heaven was completed today. He made me better. He is my first love and love never ends. His faith is inspiring and I can only imagine the things he can now taste, seeing colors for the first time, and hearing... clearly "well done my good and faithful servant". I hope he put in a request for a room near his like we talked about, for when I get there "in 5 minutes (heaven time)". When he would deploy we use to write letters (before internet and email days). I use to end each one like this " I love you very very very very very, I can't even stop saying 'very' much." He started writing back to say "I love you very very very... you know". I know daddy... I know

Sarah Schuyler

Joe & Sarah

Your dad touched a lot of lives

Rachel Conran

Joseph "Joe" Spair

Photo Gallery

RIP Joe

I remember when you cut my hair and messed it up, then cut Jakes and messed it up...then we were so sad we had messed up hair you let us cut your hair and by the time Mom got home we were all shaved bald. I love you so much Dad. Feel you alive in me everyday. Thanks for the memories and the wisdom. Love, your first son Josh.

Joe's Military Timeline

Joseph "Joe" Spair

Military Career

Final Resting Place

Josh Spair's Photo

Josh Spair's Photo

Thanks Josh for email.

Email from Joseph Spair Jr.   turbo8u@gmail.com

Message to 1st Recon Battalion Association: This is for my father who recently passed. I am looking to find more Marines who served with him and if they remember him. 

 Auqust 3th, 2020 7:28pm

It is with deep sadness that we report the news of the death of Joseph "Joe" Spair Sr. He will be greatly missed by his family & friends. We give thanks for Joe's life.

Major

Josh Spair

July 4th, 2020

I was happy when I was with my Dad. I knew that when I was younger. I was upset when we went to war. I was upset when he couldn't spend time with us. I was upset when he remarried and outed me. I have had such a hard time with his passing that these old memories are the only thing I hold on to because the new ones just suck and hurt to bad and honestly just make me very angry. My Dad was a Recon Marine, one of the hardest most badass jobs you can have in the military. He taught me to have respect for myself, and stand up. I did that my whole life and made my own way. I left the pack and risked death and worse, and I made it. Just like he did, as an orphan. I finally got a chance to make a connection with him again before he died and I can't thank the Cosmos enough for the intervention. I already knew this would happen a long time go and foresaw it, so when it finally happened I was ready mentally and spiritually, but physically I wasn't prepared for the feelings I have. I am a very evolved person and have opened my pandoras box a long time ago, so it's not weird to me to experience multiple emotions at once, but the anger is unexpected. He died on my birthday, June 8th, so we are connected even more now I feel and as a true gate keeper and guardian, I stood there in the path and was a guide. I was taught to go first and be a scout. That's what I am. I love you Dad, and the part of me that is you is alive even more so. I was so glad to have been there with you in your last days and meditate with you. Thank you for all you've taught me and I forgive you for the mis-takes and will always treasure the old life we had that you built. It's still in me. Wholeness and Balanced vibrations across all time and space.