Canon Bob’s Mass of Reception will be at 6pm on Monday 2nd February at All Saints, Lanchester.
Bishop Stephen will celebrate his Requiem Mass at 12noon on Tuesday 3rd February at Ushaw. Following Mass, Canon Bob will be buried at Lanchester Cemetery.
Both Masses will be livestreamed for those wishing to join. The link is https://www.dejavuvideo.co.uk/robert/
Cannon Spence – requiescat in pace
Canon Robert (Bob) Spence, born 21 June 1937, died on 7 January 2026; he was 88 years of age.
Canon Bob was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on 14 July 1963. He has faithfully served the people of our Diocese in the following parishes:
Professor: Ushaw College Sep 1964 – Jul 1973
Chaplain: Newcastle University Sep 1973 – Feb 1981
Parish Priest: Darlington: St Augustine’s Feb 1981 – Sep 1998
Lanchester: All Saints Sep 1998 – June 2017
Canon Bob retired in June 2017 and lived at Ushaw College for a short time before moving to Holy Cross Home, Sunderland.
Canon Spence’s family has created a JustGiving page to raise funds for St Cuthbert’s Care in his memory. You can donate by clicking here