Millionaire's Ex Loses Battle Over $10M Estate
by Rich Peters
365Gay.com Newscenter, Vancouver

(December 13, Vancouver)  Shortly before he died in 1998, 82 year old department store heir David Spencer cut his ex-boyfriend out of his will.

Spencer, whose family started David Spencer Department Stores in British Columbia met Gregory Wald in 1993, at a dinner party held at Spencer's West Vancouver waterfront home.

Spencer was 78 at the time.  Wald was 41, unemployed and estranged from his wife and four daughters.

The aging Spencer was just getting over the death of his partner of 25 years.  He was smitten with the handsome Spencer.

The two  began seeing each other romantically and eventually, according to papers filed in court by Wald, Spencer asked him to stay with him "for the rest of our lives," and purchased gold wedding bands.

He set Wald up in a West Vancouver apartment -- so they could be closer -- and paid him a $6,600 monthly salary through his holding company.

But they fell out in 1995 over Wald's use of a pair of credit cards that Spencer had given him.

In his suit Wald said he was Spencer's spouse and testified that Spencer promised to provide him with a "life estate," income for life and a $150,000 gift.

Wald said he provided Spencer with "love, attention and youth," and was upset that he was unable to explain the credit-card situation before Spencer died.

In a written decision Justice Wallace Oppal of the British Columbia Supreme Court said "There is no doubt that Mr. Wald and Mr. Spencer had a deep affection and passion for one another. In the circumstances, I can well understand Mr. Wald's frustration at not being able to contact Mr. Spencer ... in order to explain the concerns relating to the credit cards."

But, David Spencer, "being of clear mind was entitled to make the decisions that he made in relation to [Mr. Wald]." 

Spencer's estate is valued at $10 million (Cdn) most of which went to art institutions.

Wald's attorney said his client is considering an appeal.

Canadian laws regarding partners unions does not apply in Wald's case.  The pair had not lived together, and the relationship ended prior to the law taking effect.