George L. Spoll

George L. Spoll
1933-2022

George L. Spoll, 89, of Longboat Key, FL, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2022, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital following a period of declining health.  

A first-generation American, George was born in the Bronx, NY, on November 21, 1933, the oldest of two children and the only son, to, Harry Spoll and Frieda Spoll, who worked hard to achieve the American dream for George and his sister, Grace. Harry and Frieda also instilled in both children the importance of education and hard work. George entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at age 16, where he earned a degree in architecture and building construction, more commonly called architectural engineering. While in college, George met his first wife, Sylvia Steinburg Spoll, whom he married in 1954, and who predeceased him in 1984. In addition to his parents and Sylvia, George was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Dr. James Shepard.

Following college, George and Sylvia moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he worked for Cliff May, an innovative mid-century architect. After a few years, the Spolls moved to West Hartford, CT, and George started Spoll Construction Company and Enviroland Corporation.  For more than 40 years, George designed and built executive houses, served as a general contractor, led residential and commercial renovations, and spearheaded numerous land development initiatives. 

In those four plus decades, George was active in state, regional and national Home Builders Associations as a member, director, and officer. He served two Connecticut governors on special planning and zoning commissions and created adaptable housing standards for the disabled. George was a consultant for multiple inner-city housing organizations regarding building and restoration as well as serving as a building code advisor for various governmental bodies. A lifelong interest in consumer affairs led George to become founder and director of the Homeowners’ Warranty Corporation of the United States. 

Widely known as a master builder, George earned a lifetime achievement award from the Connecticut Home Builders Association. He delighted in sharing his knowledge and passion for construction and was supremely proud of the numerous newer contractors and tradesmen that he mentored. 

George had a lifelong love of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York where he and Sylvia had a home on Fourth Lake in Old Forge. He met Madelyn Josey there, and she and George were married in 1985. They relocated to Longboat Key in January 1993, finding a vibrant community that afforded the new retirees access to cultural and boating activities and most of all, a unique sense of character and community.  

Throughout his life and wherever he lived, George had a strong commitment to community involvement.  In Connecticut, he was active with the Jewish Federation and multiple town committees. In Old Forge, he was president of the Fourth Lake Property Owners Association and served on the Webb Property Owners Association. George participated in an annual lake boat tour and helped raise money for the Old Forge Arts Center, now View.  He organized and raised the money to restore the Shoal Point Lighthouse, which now is a working lighthouse.  

His legacy includes founding and chairing the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force, a citizen’s effort to continue to bring success to his adopted hometown for current and future residents. 

In Longboat Key, George joined the board of Fairway Bay, his condominium association, and immediately became president, a role he held for more than 10 years. He also was the President of the Longboat Key Federation of Condominiums for several years. He joined the Bay Isles Association Board, serving in leadership roles that led him to serve on the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board, where he was most proud of having worked with the town’s building department to simplify and reduce costs in the permitting process for his fellow citizens.  He served from 2004 to 2011, and was Vice Mayor from 2007 to 2008, and Mayor from 2010 to 2011.   He was re-elected to the Town Commission in 2016 and served until 2021, and was the Mayor from 2018 to 2020.  His legacy includes founding and chairing the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force, a citizen’s effort to continue to bring success to his adopted hometown for current and future residents. 

Left to cherish George’s memory are his wife of 37 years, Madelyn J. Spoll; a  daughter, Lisbeth (Beth) S. Coulombe and husband, Marc, of Pittsboro, NC; a son, John Spoll, and wife, Alicia of Amarillo, TX; one grandson, Samuel Spoll, and his wife, Elisha Castro, of Canyon, TX; a sister, Grace S. Shepard of Sherborn, MA; and three nephews, Andrew Shepard and wife, Cheryl, of Winchester, MA; James Shepard and wife, Tamara, of West Newton, MA; and Peter Shepard, and wife, Liz, of Englewood, CO.

DONATIONS:
Memorial gifts in George’s name may be directed to the Shoal Point Lighthouse Fund, c/o FLPOA, PO Box 213, Inlet, NY, 13360, or to a charity of your choice.