Philip Roger Spear Jr.

Philip was born September 1, 1944 in Beverly, Massachusetts to Philip Sr. and Mary Spear. Growing up in New England, Phil enjoyed many outdoor activities including snow skiing, hockey, boating, hiking and Boy Scouts.

Phil attended The University of Maine where he was a proud brother of the Sigma Nu fraternity and graduated in 1969 with a degree in Mathematics. He began teaching in New Hampshire and a short time later moved to California where he taught Math and coached baseball and football at Lemoore High School in the Central Valley. It was here that he met, and a short time later, married fellow teacher and love of his life, Cleta.

Early into their 47 years of marriage, Phil accepted a position with McDonald's Corporation and served as a Director of Real Estate working under the immediate direction of Ray Kroc. This new opportunity relocated Phil and Cleta to Southern California where they settled in the San Diego area. In 1977 they began their family with the birth of their daughter Cynthia. The following year their family was complete with the arrival of their second daughter Kelly.

Following his career at McDonald's, Phil also served as the Vice President of Real Estate for In-N-Out Burger. He also owned several restaurants of his own, including Po' Folks near Knott's Berry Farm. For the past 20 years he has been the owner of The Hamburger Factory Family Restaurant in Poway where he loved to spend time in conversation over coffee with his friends.

Phil was a devoted husband and father who was fulfilled by spending time with his family creating a lifetime of memories. He and Cleta shared their passion for travel, boating, and skiing with their girls. Although he loved to travel the world, the place closest to his heart was always New England. Recently he and Cleta have split their time between their home of 42 years in Poway and their summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee. Some of his favorite hobbies were spending time on the lake, driving around to admire the fall foliage or watching the Red Sox, Patriots or Bruins win a game. He was a man of strong faith, believing in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love and the beauty and peace that would await him after his passing. Phil is survived by his wife Cleta, daughters Kelly Spear and Cynthia Casse, son-in-law David Casse and sister Pamela Herrington.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Monday, October 15, 2018 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at The Hamburger Factory Family Restaurant in Poway, California.

Memorial contributions may be made in Phil's name to:

The Rowandan Children Education Foundation

Laconia Christian Fellowship

1386 Meredith Center Rd

Laconia, NH 03246

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcleodmortuary.com for the Spear family.