John F. Speer Jr., ice cream magnate
John F. Speer Jr., 82, of South Bethany Beach, passed away Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, at his residence. He was born Jan. 15, 1932, in Staten Island, N.Y., son of the late John F. Speer Sr. and Frances Speer.
John moved to the Washington, D.C. area in 1958 upon completion of his master's degree in agriculture economics from Pennsylvania State University. He was named a Distinguished Alumni Fellow in 1981 by the university. He worked for the International Association of Ice Cream Manufacturers and the Milk Industry Association for 30 years, retiring as president and CEO of both organizations in 1988 (which merged to form what is now International Dairy Foods Association.)
John was involved in various industry organizations both domestic and international, served as president of the National Association Executives Club and was appointed by President Carter to the Natural Gas & Energy task force in 1978. He launched the annual Ice Cream for America celebration on Capitol Hill, now in its 32 year, and was responsible for creating legislation signed by President Reagan in 1984 establishing July as National Ice Cream Month and July 15 National Ice Cream Day.
After his retirement, John embarked on a second career in real estate before retiring permanently to South Bethany Beach and Jupiter, Fla. He became very involved in the South Bethany community and historical society, enjoyed golfing, spending time with family and meeting new friends.
He is survived by his cherished wife Celeste McDermott Speer; his four children of Fairfax County, Va., Christie (Roger) Price, John F. Speer III, Dawn (Taylor) Young, Cathy (Robert) McKinnell; six grandchildren Kelly, Nicole, John Taylor, Courtney, John (Jack) and Decker; and two sisters, Hope Fagan (Tequesta, Fla.) and Sarah Walter (Chicago, Ill.).
A Memorial Mass will be held Monday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m., at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach. Interment will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 34874 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, DE 19970.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to: South Bethany Historical Society, C/O SB Town Hall, 402 Evergreen Road, South Bethany, DE 19930
Please visit John’s Life Memorial Website and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
