VALLI, PJS (Spencer)

(1964-2020) - Dr. P. J. Spencer Valli, PhD. aka Spence/Spenny died in his
sleep on May 5, 2020 in Guelph, Ontario. He is predeceased by his parents
Victor (Ted) and Edith Valli (nee Doran). He will be remembered by many
friends in North America and the Netherlands. He will be especially remembered
by his sister Dr. Lois Valli and her family (husband Dr. John Longfield, and
children Shea and Olivia), by his brother, Robert Valli and his family
(wife Elin Gwyn and children Perrin (Keira Hodkinson) and Alexandre and
Madeleine) and by his stepmother Carroll Valli. He will also be fondly
remembered by his three aunts Gilda Valli, Myrtle Varney and Gladys Sirola
and cousin Kathleen Schmaltz.

Spencer was born on January 1st, 1964 in Brooks, Alberta . As a young
child growing up in Guelph, he would chat with anyone he met. He brought
his gregarious, outgoing, charming personality with him everywhere he
lived. Despite disliking school as a child, Spencer turned his talents,
amazing memory and bright smile to the academic stream and achieved a Ph
D. at the University of Amsterdam in Infectious Diseases, while learning
to speak Dutch (not an easy feat). He brought his skills in biochemistry
and molecular biology to post doc positions at John Hopkins and
University of California, San Diego. He returned to live in Guelph in
2007 after a life-changing brain injury to live close to family.

Spencer will be remembered from his younger days as a cyclist, trumpet
player, and windsurfer, and driving around in his blue, 1972 MGB
convertible. Spencer had amazing mechanical ability - switching engines
for a week and then switching them back. And when his hands weren't
covered in automobile grease he could turn his abilities to sewing
awe-inspiring and fancy, evening dresses.

In the last years of his life, due to his physical limitations, Spencer
stayed informed on world events and connected via social media where he
had many hundreds of followers. Despite his limitations, Spencer was both
a friendly and vibrant person. And, unfortunately, someone who was unable
to overcome his alcohol addiction and all the associated difficulties.

This week we lost a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a nephew and a friend.
We are very grateful to all the people who have befriended and helped
Spencer along his life's journey. We will hold a lasting image of
Spencer, picturing him with a coffee cup in his hand, while listening to
jazz, and smiling his beguiling smile.