The Siena College community is mourning the death of a former trustee and one of its most generous benefactors, J. Spencer Standish H’04.
Standish died Friday, Sept. 23. He was 91.
“Siena College will be forever grateful for the dedicated philanthropy of Spencer and his devoted wife, Patricia,” said Br. Ed Coughlin, OFM, president of Siena. “Their comittment of service not only to our College but to the entire Capital Region is a fine example for all of the Siena community. The news of his passing brings us great sadness, but as we reflect on his accomplishments as a businessman and supporter of so many educational and cultural endeavors, we also feel pride that we had such a strong association over the years with this exemplary individual.”
Standish, who was best-known as chairman of the board of Albany International Corporation, served on Siena’s Board of Trustees from 1986 to 1996. He took a year’s leave and came back to the Board from 1997 to 2004. He was a trustee emeritus until his death.
In 1996, Standish, and his wife, Patricia, donated to the construction of the $13.5 million J. Spencer and Patricia Standish Library. Construction began in April 1998, and the library opened in September of 1999. A dedication ceremony took place the following month.
Both Standishes received honorary degrees at the College’s commencement ceremonies in May 2004. Spencer received the Honorary Doctor of Science; Patricia received the Honorary Doctor of Letters.
They named Siena’s Standish Honors Program during the “Living Our Tradition: The Campaign for Siena College.” The five-year capital campaign raised more than $65 million for the College.
In July 2016, the couple was included in the Ring of Honor for their lifetime support of the College. The ring of granite benches at the center of the College’s academic quad will be dedicated Sept. 29, 2016.
“We are a community in mourning for a man whose life was dedicated to excellence in learning, business and philanthropy,” said David B. Smith ‘79, Siena’s vice president for development and external affairs. “Through his financial support through the Capital Region, he encouraged this excellence is many others. Our thoughts and prayers are with Spencer’s family at this time.”
