Obituary for Richard F. Fleming Sr.
Richard F. “Dick” Fleming, Sr., 86, of Auburn, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, after a short illness.
He leaves his beloved wife of 63 years, Anna M. (Denaris) Fleming; their children: Richard F. Fleming, Jr. and his wife Diane, of Ft. Wayne, IN, Stephen M. Fleming and his wife LouAnn, of Paxton, and Michele M. Hamilton and her husband Paul, of Auburn; grandchildren: Richard F. Fleming, III and his wife Rachel, Matthew J. Fleming and his wife Rebecca, Casey C. Fleming, Ryan T. Fleming, Tyler S. Fleming, Holly A.C. Fricault and her husband Paul, and Andrew J. “AJ” Hight; great-grandchild, Opal Fleming; his brother, Lawrence J. Fleming, of Shrewsbury; along with several nieces and nephews. Mr. Fleming was predeceased by his son, Joseph W. Fleming; his brothers, Michael and Timothy Fleming; and their parents, Lawrence and Myrtle R. (Miller) Fleming.
Richard was born, raised, and educated in Worcester, graduating from the Worcester Boys Trade School. He studied and was skilled in cabinet-making and carpentry, and later attended Quinsigamond Community College for several courses. In 1959, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country proudly until 1961.
He married his beloved Anna on August 1, 1959 at Sacred Heart Church in Worcester. They settled in Auburn in 1969, where they raised their family.
Richard dedicated over 43 to the Norton Company, retiring as Foreman in 1999. In retirement, he worked at the former L-3 Communications, now L3 Technologies. Richard also spent many years as a volunteer firefighter for the Auburn Fire Department, before there was a full-time staff. Richard, while using his joy of cooking, volunteered for many organizations, churches, schools and friends. Many long-time residents of Auburn will fondly remember Richard’s summertime chicken Bar-B-Q’s for St. Joseph’s Parish, the Town of Auburn’s 4th of July celebration clam bake, and Auburn Fire Department corned beef and cabbage meals, among many others. Richard certainly knew how to cook for an army, and you best not go away hungry.
In his free time, Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son Joseph, and photography. He loved spending time year-round at the home he & his family built in York, Maine. Richard took up beekeeping later in life, enjoying his time in their back yard of flower along with his “girls.” If you have been lucky enough to have a taste of his honey you know the passion he had for his bees.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Fleming family from 3 – 6 PM on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Monday, March 6, 2023 at Saint Joseph’s Church, 189 Oxford Street North, Auburn. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.
He leaves his beloved wife of 63 years, Anna M. (Denaris) Fleming; their children: Richard F. Fleming, Jr. and his wife Diane, of Ft. Wayne, IN, Stephen M. Fleming and his wife LouAnn, of Paxton, and Michele M. Hamilton and her husband Paul, of Auburn; grandchildren: Richard F. Fleming, III and his wife Rachel, Matthew J. Fleming and his wife Rebecca, Casey C. Fleming, Ryan T. Fleming, Tyler S. Fleming, Holly A.C. Fricault and her husband Paul, and Andrew J. “AJ” Hight; great-grandchild, Opal Fleming; his brother, Lawrence J. Fleming, of Shrewsbury; along with several nieces and nephews. Mr. Fleming was predeceased by his son, Joseph W. Fleming; his brothers, Michael and Timothy Fleming; and their parents, Lawrence and Myrtle R. (Miller) Fleming.
Richard was born, raised, and educated in Worcester, graduating from the Worcester Boys Trade School. He studied and was skilled in cabinet-making and carpentry, and later attended Quinsigamond Community College for several courses. In 1959, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country proudly until 1961.
He married his beloved Anna on August 1, 1959 at Sacred Heart Church in Worcester. They settled in Auburn in 1969, where they raised their family.
Richard dedicated over 43 to the Norton Company, retiring as Foreman in 1999. In retirement, he worked at the former L-3 Communications, now L3 Technologies. Richard also spent many years as a volunteer firefighter for the Auburn Fire Department, before there was a full-time staff. Richard, while using his joy of cooking, volunteered for many organizations, churches, schools and friends. Many long-time residents of Auburn will fondly remember Richard’s summertime chicken Bar-B-Q’s for St. Joseph’s Parish, the Town of Auburn’s 4th of July celebration clam bake, and Auburn Fire Department corned beef and cabbage meals, among many others. Richard certainly knew how to cook for an army, and you best not go away hungry.
In his free time, Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son Joseph, and photography. He loved spending time year-round at the home he & his family built in York, Maine. Richard took up beekeeping later in life, enjoying his time in their back yard of flower along with his “girls.” If you have been lucky enough to have a taste of his honey you know the passion he had for his bees.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Fleming family from 3 – 6 PM on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Monday, March 6, 2023 at Saint Joseph’s Church, 189 Oxford Street North, Auburn. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.