In 1950, in Chicago, Spanier's second marriage was to Ruth Gries O’Connell.Time, "Milestones", February 27, 1950. He became the stepfather of her sons, Hollywood film writer and director Tom Gries (died 1977) and Charles Joseph Gries, later professionally known as Buddy Charles, a pop and jazz vocalist and pianist in Chicago.Chicago Tribune, December 21, 2008 When Spanier was performing at a concert in Chicago in 1956, Buddy Charles was performing at the nearby Black Orchid nightclub. Spanier was heard to exclaim "that's my boy."Chicago Tribune, "On the Town", January 17, 1956.
