Icrontic celebrates the life of Spencer Hayes

Brian Ambrozy 26 Oct, 2012 at 6:15pm ET Article published in Icrontic

Rest in peace, dear friend.

Yesterday night, a car containing four Icrontic members on their way to a restaurant was violently rear-ended by another, larger vehicle. Everyone inside was injured, and tragically, Spencer Hayes was killed in the impact.

Spencer has been an Icrontic member for years. He has written articles about gaming and game theory, been the rallying force behind several Icrontic gaming efforts, including the Guild Wars 2 guild, Magic: The Gathering tournaments, and more. He was a consummate gamer in every sense, and derived great joy from not only participating with other Icrontians in games, but making sure everybody got the most out of the games they played.

His laugh and smile were absolutely infectious, and when he laughed, it cut above the din of the crowd and made everyone either groan and facepalm, or start laughing themselves. He was a teacher who loved kids, and was a fantastic caretaker and guide for young people.

Spencer was having fun up until the moment of his death, and for that we take some solace. He was laughing and joking the last moment I saw him alive. He was truly at home in this community and among friends. That’s the only small comfort we can take from this tragedy.

Rest in peace, dear friend. You will never be forgotten. Icrontic was a better place for having you, and now we are worse off without you.

The funeral will be Tuesday, October 30th at Lynch & Sons in Clawson, MI. Icrontic is taking a collection to help the Hayes family with funeral costs. If you want to donate, please send donations via Paypal to accounts at short-media.com.

Comments

26 Oct 2012 ~ 6:23pm Jokke Beautiful.

Granted, I didn't know Spencer all too well, but I still feel like he was part of my family, or even better; my Icrontic family.

Rest in peace.
26 Oct 2012 ~ 6:29pm QCH Sad day... Rest in peace, Spencer.
26 Oct 2012 ~ 6:35pm troll My deepest and sincerest condolences to the Hayes family and to Spencer's friends. A tragic loss at such a young age.
26 Oct 2012 ~ 7:02pm BobbyDigi Goodbye dear friend, you were taken too soon.
26 Oct 2012 ~ 7:37pm MiracleManS I rarely comment now and I generally seem to not show up when I say I will, but I consider everyone on this site family.

Spencer will truly be missed. It is a sad day for Icrontic but he will be remembered fondly and with smiles.
26 Oct 2012 ~ 7:54pm Straight_Man I get a sad feeling inside when a Icrontic family member passes on. RIP, Spenser.
26 Oct 2012 ~ 8:22pm jared Sad I never got to meet him, sounds like he was a stand up guy. One of those guys that makes everyone else a better person just by knowing him.

T&P to Spencer, his family, and the entire Icrontic Community.
26 Oct 2012 ~ 10:22pm Rachel Spencer was my sons Technology teacher in Milford. We truly loved having him at the school. I was just talking with him yesterday about how much we hoped he would get hired in full time. He was a wonderful influence for all the kids! We will truly miss him!
26 Oct 2012 ~ 11:45pm BHHammy Damn, the last time I saw him was when he was in our Terraria group a ways back. Great guy, i still have him on my skype list. What a way to go...
27 Oct 2012 ~ 8:47am Rachel I went to school with Spencer...he ran our A/V stuff for theatre and choir performances. He was truly one of the most standup guys. I hadn't talked to him in years, but we had some great times in high school and I'm grateful I knew him. I also worked closely with his mom on production things in high school...my heart absolutely aches for his family RIP, Spencer.
27 Oct 2012 ~ 9:30am RyanMM I will never forget his laugh. I hope we have that in a video somewhere because that needs to be preserved and shared with future generations of Icrontians.
27 Oct 2012 ~ 1:03pm Winfrey For me, it will be painfully obvious that Spencer is gone, when I log into Vent, play TF2 (which hasn't been in a while), or host up some skype calls for gaming. Especially at Icrontic events.

Gonna miss you SpencerForHire.
27 Oct 2012 ~ 2:58pm Casey Masters My Daughters truly loved Mr.Spencer he was their favorite.. A young man who accomplished so much in his life. He Definitely has a place in my family hearts.
27 Oct 2012 ~ 3:57pm Barbara Miller I didn't know Spencer but, my grandson Bobby loved him as a best friend. I wish I could have met him. God bless his family & friends. May you RIP Spencer.
27 Oct 2012 ~ 6:09pm lershee He was always so nice to me. And I loved how, if he didn't win a game of Catan, he would sit there and go through the game again to figure out why he lost. It was irritatingly hilarious. I will miss you so much, Spence.
27 Oct 2012 ~ 9:48pm Katie Spencer was an incredible person. I feel so fortunate to have known him since kindergarten! May he rest in peace!
28 Oct 2012 ~ 1:59am Canti When playing Ascension with him I will always miss the way he would go into great detail to explain every single facet of the game and take the time to make sure everyone playing completely understood the rules and knew how to best plan their moves so that they had the greatest chance at winning. Then he would get his turn in which he would acquire multiple turns in a row, kill all the monsters on the board several times over, take all the gold from the leprechauns, buy more attack power, kill all the leprechauns, pull all the constructs out of the void and put them into play, literally take your ability to comprehend what just happened and throw it into a wood chipper, declare himself the winner, prove it by showing he has more honor points than exist in all the decks in the world combined, and then ask if anyone wanted to play again and laugh. I'll never forget that laugh.
28 Oct 2012 ~ 2:11am Alidra

Good times with a wonderful friend. I can't express how much you will be missed, Spence.
29 Oct 2012 ~ 1:14am primesuspect DAT FRO
29 Oct 2012 ~ 12:40pm WagsFTW Here's the obituary:

http://lynchfuneraldirectors.com/death_notice.aspx?Operation=preview&noticeid=2993
29 Oct 2012 ~ 12:43pm Ryder That is really awesome of his parents to include us.. even with the typo.
30 Oct 2012 ~ 8:52am Linda Tadajewski Spencer was an awesome young man. I am so glad that we got to work together the last couple of months. It was a pleasure to know him. He has enriched all of us at Johnson Elementary. My heart goes out to all that knew and loved him. He will be truly missed.
30 Oct 2012 ~ 10:22am Ryder I won't be there tonight. Please pass my condolences to Spencer's family.
30 Oct 2012 ~ 10:24am Katherine My son, a johnson elementary student, was very sad when we learned of Spencer's passing. My son said he was a fun teacher and too young to die. i would agree. Thank you for writting this artcle and giving us more information about this wonderful person. He will be missed by the students. We pray that God is with him, taking care of him.
30 Oct 2012 ~ 10:35am LeahVoice The gaming tables are quieter, the sumos are emptier, the kitchen island is sadder and we are all lonlier. Spencer, you are very much missed.
30 Oct 2012 ~ 12:05pm Shubby I'm so sorry to find out about the loss of Spencer. I spent many, many Friday and Saturday nights doing hard modes in Ulduar to get our server first Rusted Proto Drakes. I'm sad that I haven't had time to play any GW2 with my friends yet. I'm sad that I will never hear his voice in vent again. It's now a good thing that I will never forget his voice saying, "FAN OF KNIVES FRAME LOSS". <3s and huggles. Too soon, Executus.
30 Oct 2012 ~ 5:30pm grace from johnson elem Mr.Hayes was my conputer lab teacher i miss him deeply
30 Oct 2012 ~ 5:32pm grace from johnson elem HE WAS THE BEST CONPUTER LAB TEACHER EVER R.I.P
31 Oct 2012 ~ 7:54am grace from johnson elem MR.HAYES WAS SO GREAT TO KNOW AND NOW I KNOW HE WILL LOOK OVER US AND WATCH US R.I.P
31 Oct 2012 ~ 1:31pm Linc One of his dad's friends at the memorial service got up and said "Every time I came over Spencer would give me a look like 'oh boy, here's my dad's geeky pinball friends again'. Turns out, after listening to all of you, he was a far bigger geek than we ever were. He had a great poker face."
31 Oct 2012 ~ 11:17pm hadesprye Spencer was such a great friend. It was so nice to see so many of you show up to his memorial yesterday!
2 Nov 2012 ~ 8:47am Hawk LadyHawk and I send our condolences to family and friends of Spencer. We know he was a big part of this community and will be missed by all.
I enjoyed his articles. I also enjoyed playing TF2 with him.
Sorry for the late post. I haven't been here for a few days.
RIP SpencerForHire
2 Nov 2012 ~ 6:27pm Madison Hey, Mr.Hayes was only 26 He was my friend at keller elementary my Student Teacher, i cried soooo much went to his funeral i really will miss him it doesnt feel real if only i got to say good bye i thought about this and WHY HIM? I asked and i sat by him and his teacher desk. i remeber (at our school we had something called disrupitons for if we were talking or doing something bad or wrong) so i got a few of those im sooooooooooo sad i didnt answer my phone and i heard that voicemail from a friend and then i cried to my mom R.I.P Spencer Hayes. He told us about a special friend we all knew it was a girlfriend I'm sorry
RIP spencer hayes always in our hearts:(
3 Nov 2012 ~ 4:42pm Taylor Mr. Spencer Hayes didn't deserve to pass away in this manor. He was not only my student teacher, but a friend. Spencer is missed by many including myself. Rest in peace buddy :'(
3 Nov 2012 ~ 5:34pm BobbyDigi Dear Spence,

I was looking though my Steam friends list today. You were online just 9 days ago. Thank you for being passionate about everything you do. Thank you for all of the advice on TF2 strategy. I already miss our Steam chats about Scout weapons. I'm glad I could help you find the weapons you needed to test your theories about how they would do in game. I've got a list of weapons that I have named or plan to name after my friends. I have you on the list next to Spy Knife. Spy Sappin My Spencer. I changed my mind though. I'll always remember you as a Scout so I renamed my Strange Festive Bat to {IC} SpencerForHire. I think you would appreciate that it is one of the most valuable items I have but more so that the Scout's bat is still arguably the all around best balance of a Scout melee wep. What I wouldn't give to chat about TF2 strategies with you again.

I will always remember at Epic last year during the Magic draft. It got down to you and I playing for first place. I was honored just to make it that far. You rolled me. I couldn't even touch your deck. I was able to pull off a couple of defensive moves and even though they proved unhelpful, I was proud that you seemed surprised by them and even voiced that they were good moves. I appreciated that. You were always such a good sportsman. I never heard you brag. Instead you would want to take time to talk about what happened, show me how I could be better. I am a better player for being able to play against you. I am a better person for knowing you.

You've not left my mind since I read the news. It still doesn't seem real. You were a friend in every sense of the word. You touched so many peoples lives. This is quite evident by the posts here and on your Facebook page.

Thank you for being you Spence.
3 Nov 2012 ~ 5:58pm LIN So, so tragic.. I am truly at a loss for words but to offer my very deepest condolences and prayers. Rest in peace, Spencer.
10 Nov 2012 ~ 1:35pm Creeperbane2 RIP
30 Nov 2012 ~ 5:18pm DeterminedCelery Although I never really got along with Mr.Spencer, I know people that have said he was a great guy. I am so very sad to here about his death, and I will miss him.

-Fish
30 Nov 2012 ~ 6:14pm cola I keep expecting Spence to pop on and ask me to play LoL with him, I guess it really takes time to wrap your head around this sort of thing. I can't help but pause for a moment when I see certain videos that we'd share like

and

...I really miss the guy
30 Nov 2012 ~ 9:36pm UPSLynx Yeah, both those videos are no longer the same for me. Can't watch them without hearing him laughing his ass off.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 2:43pm LilSis Today, the man that had a warrant out for his arrest and had been on the run for 2 months for killing my brother, Spencer, has finally been caught and arrested.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 2:57pm ardichoke
Today, the man that had a warrant out for his arrest and had been on the run for 2 months for killing my brother, Spencer, has finally been caught and arrested.
I couldn't decide whether or not it would be inappropriate to this, so instead I'll just say this. Good. I hope this can give you all some measure of closure.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 3:32pm Tushon
Today, the man that had a warrant out for his arrest and had been on the run for 2 months for killing my brother, Spencer, has finally been caught and arrested.
Thank you for letting us know.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 3:35pm Canti What a mother fucker. Thank God.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 3:52pm BobbyDigi
Today, the man that had a warrant out for his arrest and had been on the run for 2 months for killing my brother, Spencer, has finally been caught and arrested.
Thank you for the update.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 3:59pm Thrax How did he go free after being in the hospital under guard by the police? I don't know if this is an appropriate question, but it really confused me.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 4:36pm UPSLynx I was wondering the same thing, I had no clue that scumbag was on the run.

Thanks for updating us.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 4:44pm Bandrik I was actually logging on today to ask if there were any updates about the perpetrator. I'm glad I didn't know he was on the run this whole time. I don't think I could have taken that anxiety. But it's good to know he's off the streets now.

Thanks for the update.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 4:44pm Chooch Thanks for the update!
27 Dec 2012 ~ 4:45pm Tushon AFAIK, they released him from custody because his initial tox screens were negative, then dropped an arrest warrant later.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 4:46pm LilSis
How did he go free after being in the hospital under guard by the police? I don't know if this is an appropriate question, but it really confused me.

Well, even if he was taken by police they could only hold him for 48 hours, then would have to let him go. they can not legally arrest someone like that unless there is enough evidence for a case to go to trial and such in which then they would detain him up to and through the trial until teh sentencing. and when they first let him go, they didn't tell him that someone had died so he would be less likely to flee to prevent from getting caught and such. so yeah.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 8:44pm primesuspect What Tushon said is exactly right. They don't arrest someone in the hospital without a warrant. A warrant was issued after he had already been released on negative tox.
27 Dec 2012 ~ 11:10pm LilSis He was on PCP at the time. The only reason it came up negative is becuase by the time they get the results from a blood tox like that it's already worked out of the system.
28 Dec 2012 ~ 2:13am Thrax
AFAIK, they released him from custody because his initial tox screens were negative, then dropped an arrest warrant later.
Thanks, dude. I wasn't aware of the full situation.
24 Jan 2013 ~ 11:18am LilSis Help make his facebook a memorial page since filling out teh proper forms isn't working...
http://www.facebook.com/SpencerMemorialPage
25 Oct 2013 ~ 10:00pm QCH Cannot believe it's been a year. Miss you Spencer.
25 Oct 2014 ~ 6:26pm primesuspect
Two years. We love you Spence
27 Oct 2014 ~ 1:28am WagsFTW
It was weird, he actually came up in conversation last night when we were out with some of Joe's friends, and one was talking about going to Magic tournaments. Was nice to think of him yesterday.
25 Oct 2015 ~ 7:33am Thrax
Three years. Quesadillas and Baja Blast today.
25 Oct 2015 ~ 5:06pm Teramona
Funniest memory of Spencer: He was steam rolling Dan and me in Munchkin so bad that at one point he looked up at us and said "Do we really need to finish this?"

Fondest memory of Spencer: Knowing he was going to message me every time I logged in to GW2 to ask me how it was going.

We will definitely be raising our cups tonight to you, Spencer!
25 Oct 2015 ~ 6:08pm primesuspect
Tonight I will read a guide on minmaxing my clicker heroes DPS just for you, Spence. AND YOU KNOW I'LL HATE EVERY SECOND OF IT YOU BASTARD
25 Oct 2015 ~ 6:46pm HumerusMeg
Mmmmm that quesilla and Baja blast! Miss you
25 Oct 2015 ~ 11:47pm MAGIC

be getting ass beat by Spencer in Magic
he's just winning because he spent more $$
swap decks
he still wins
*smirk
ass.
26 Oct 2015 ~ 4:27am Thrax

be trying to take Spencer home
so much rum and coke
he can't get off the floor
he's theorycrafting at your pantlegs
it takes an hour to leave
26 Oct 2015 ~ 7:51pm Soda
I'm a theorycrafting addict, and I was following guild wars 2 somewhat before it came out, but I had fallen behind. I was pretty new to IC still, but heard Spencer talk about it a few times. He was always talking with some of the people I didn't know too well, so I asked Brian, "Hey can I just go bring it up with him, is that awkward". Brian turned and just started LAUGHING HIS ASS OFF. I didn't get it.

3 hours later I totally got it. you Spencer.
26 Oct 2015 ~ 10:19pm primesuspect
breathe

CAN YOU GO UP TO SPENCER

breathe

AND ASK HIM ABOUT GUILD WARS 2

breathe

BWAJHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA
26 Oct 2015 ~ 10:51pm UPSLynx
Yesterday I ate Taco Bell, drank a rum and coke, and looped this for a good half hour:

http://blackacrebrewing.com/hey.swf

spencer. Playing Dungeon Defenders 2 lately has brought back a lot of good memories of him.
26 Oct 2015 ~ 11:58pm GnomeQueen
I just wanna talk to you
25 Oct 2016 ~ 1:32pm primesuspect
Tonight we will optimize even harder, my friend. The gang will have beers and play games and have passionate discussions about the best upgrade path, team comp, rotation, and build in your honor. We miss you
25 Oct 2016 ~ 1:48pm TiberiusLazarus
Cannot think of a better day to have our Return to Karazhan.
25 Oct 2016 ~ 3:39pm Thrax
Today @HumerusMeg and I are eating Taco Bell quesadillas in his honor.
25 Oct 2016 ~ 4:01pm GnomeQueen
The old link to his obituary was broken, so here's a fixed one.
25 Oct 2016 ~ 4:45pm aspieRommel

@GnomeQueen said:
The old link to his obituary was broken, so here's a fixed one.

Jackie, the link you posted made me have to search for it on the website, so here's the link directly to it.

http://m.lynchandsonsclawson.com/obituaries/events?obituaryId=604695
25 Oct 2016 ~ 7:19pm MAGIC
The last time I played MTG with Spence I had just built my own deck. He beat me like five games in a row. I told him "your deck is pay to win". We traded decks and he beat me with my own trash. I told him to fuck off, and you know what his laugh sounded like. I really miss him.
25 Oct 2016 ~ 8:13pm BobbyDigi
I've been thinking about Spence a lot recently while min-maxing Pokemon Go. Wondering what his favorites would be. Oh, who am I kidding? He would have figured out the best, those would be his favorite.

Miss you Dude. Getting the most out of games in your memory.
29 Oct 2016 ~ 1:38am CrazyJoe
I miss him every day. I miss talking about being computer teachers together. I still have his picture/pin sitting right by my monitor. I wore the pin tbe other day and some of my kids asked about it. I told them about how I had a friend who also an awesome teacher.
26 Oct 2017 ~ 5:45am UPSLynx
Five years ago today. Legit cannot believe it. It still hurts. To this day, still surrounded by memories of Spencer. Just got done talking about Whiskey Lane™ with @cola, which was popularized back when we played League of Legends with @SpencerForHire.

Having a rum and coke and playing Overwatch in his honor tonight. He would have effing loved this game (and loved/hated complaining about the meta).
26 Oct 2017 ~ 7:00am pigflipper
I ordered a Captain and Coke tonight and sat it next to me, with a bar stool leaned up. The bar staff at Poor Pauls kept anybody from sitting there, or moving the drink, whenever I got up. They know. I then ordered 3 water moccasins, did one, sat the other two with the drink.

Captain was the favorite of two of the best people I have ever known. Two of the best taken far before their time.

I want to argue with Spencer one more time, I want to have a crazy LAN with Mortin one more time.

Fuck October.
26 Oct 2017 ~ 7:40am UPSLynx

@pigflipper said:
Fuck October.

Hugs brother. I hate today. This month.
26 Oct 2017 ~ 1:21pm Ryder

@UPSLynx said:

@pigflipper said:
Fuck October.

I hate today. This month.

Cheers!
27 Oct 2017 ~ 2:26pm primesuspect
Spence, I think you finally might begrudgingly admit that I got better at DPS in wow.... But you'd still make fun of how long it took me and how other people playing my class could do it in a tenth of the time. You bastard!
25 Oct 2018 ~ 2:10pm primesuspect
I'm one of the top DPS shadow priests on Thrall, Spencer. THIS IS YOUR FAULT, YOU SMUG ASS
26 Oct 2018 ~ 12:15am Thrax
We celebrated his birthday with Taco Bell quesadillas. We'll celebrate his passing with piles of rum.
26 Oct 2018 ~ 3:54pm Tushon
@Annes @pragtastic and a friend from work celebrated last night with some Sailor Jerry's and telling stories.