Paul Douglas Spencer

Paul Douglas Spencer, owner and operator of Tal-Blick Farm Registered Holsteins and Clydesdales, in the Town of Palatine, passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025 at his beloved farm at the age of 86.

Paul was born on January 06, 1939 in Amsterdam, NY the son of the late Douglas and Mildred (Wohlgemuth) Spencer.

Paul graduated in 1956 from Canajoharie Central School. He attended Ithaca College, followed by enlisting in the United States Navy. He served from 1960-1964 as a heavy equipment mechanic in the Seabees. After receiving Honorable Discharge, Paul returned to the town of Palatine to the family farm. In 1967 Paul purchased the farm next door, where he spent the past 58 years doing what he loved and was meant to do with his life.

Over time, Paul developed a herd of Registered Holsteins, raising many classified Very Good and Excellent cows that he was extremely proud of.

In 1973 he purchased his first Clydesdale horse that began his journey into the world of draft horses, where he eventually built up to a 6-horse hitch that he proudly showed and exhibited throughout the Northeast and Canada. For many years his Clydesdales were on exhibit at the German and Celtic Festivals at Hunter Mountain. In 2020, Paul’s last Clydesdale, Belle, who was conceived at the farm, died at the farm at 23 years of age, marking 47 years of owning Clydesdales.

In October 2007, at the age of 68, Paul decided it was time to hang up the milking machines for the last time. After a very successful herd dispersal, Paul was feeling a little lost without his Holsteins, so a month later he purchased a 10 bred White-faced Herefords to start his small cow/calf operation that kept him busy for the next 13 years.

Paul was a member of the New York Holstein Association, OHM Holstein Club, New York Draft Horse Club, and the Clydesdale Breeders of the USA.

On December 17, 1988, Paul married Linda Bono, “the best thing that ever happened to him” (his words). For 36 plus years, with Linda by his side, Paul was happy and content, whether milking cows, making hay, planting corn, showing horses, or raising beef cows. He always said “it isn’t work if you love what you’re doing”.

Paul is survived by his wife, Linda; his step-son and his wife, Dan and Dana Bono, granddaughter, Blair Bono, and grandson, Spencer John “Jack” Bono, all of Bumpass, VA.

He is also survived by his “half-a” sister-n-law and brother-in-law, Kristina and Bill Hinman and their children, Samantha, Billy, and Nathan Paul of Frankfort; Earl Spencer of Canajoharie, NY; and two nieces, Mara Spencer of Toledo, OR, and Danielle Schoff (Jon) of Palatine Bridge, NY.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend calling hours for Paul on Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center Street, St. Johnsville, NY (518) 568-2300.

A Celebration of Life will take place on July 19, 2025, starting at 12:00 Noon at the family farm. Military honors will be conferred at that time. All are welcome to attend.

For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions to the Ayres Memorial Shelter, 133 Hilltop Road, Sprakers, NY 12166 or to the Canajoharie Fire Department, 75 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie, NY 13317. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Paul’s final wishes have been entrusted to the Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate funeral directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com