logo logo logo logo

News / Obituaries / Southampton Press / 1451521

Edward J. Fleming Dies August 2

icon 1 Photo

author on Aug 27, 2018

Edward J. Fleming, formerly of Southampton, died August 2, 2018, surrounded by his family, in Durham, North Carolina. He was 90.

Mr. Fleming was born on September 6, 1927, in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan. He trained to become a boxer and worked at the Boys Athletic Club. He joined the Navy and continued boxing while stationed in Hawaii. Once back in New York City, he trained three boys who went on to became Golden Gloves champions.

While in Roosevelt Hospital for surgery, he met a special nurse, Nancy Holden. She became the love of his life and they were married for 65 years. In 1951, they moved to Southampton, Nancy’s hometown, where they raised their three daughters.

Mr. Fleming worked at Mackay Radio and Nugent and Potter Plumbing for many years. Later, he was a salesman for Hardinge Inc., covering Long Island.

He and his wife were members of the Basilica Parish of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, served as Eucharistic ministers, and were part of a charismatic prayer group in Sag Harbor. Mr. Fleming was a dedicated member of the choir who wrote and copyrighted 28 Christian songs. He sang his songs at baptisms, first Communions, weddings, and funerals. His voice and songs are a great part of his legacy, survivors said.

Mr. Fleming and his wife retired to Sun City Center, Florida in 1996. He performed in several annual shows, hospice fundraisers, and local establishments. In 2009, they moved to Durham to be closer to family.

Mr. Fleming was predeceased by his wife, Nancy; a grandson, Andrew Hall; and other family members.

He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Gay (Mal) Gibson, Deborah (Ray) Halsey, and Laurie (Jim) Hall; grandchildren Michele Gibson, Kim (Howard) Gibson Forrest, Jennifer, Ryan and Jason Halsey, Brandon and Jordan Hall; great-grandchildren Jaylyn, Jessie, Jovie, Jax, Jaeger and Jamison Forrest and Dylan Gibson; and a sister, Ann.

Funeral services were held on August 6 at Mitchell Funeral Home, followed by interment at Raleigh Memorial Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Donations may be made to the Durham Rescue Mission, Box 11368, Durham, NC 27703-0368. The Durham Rescue Mission encourages those who are homeless and needy by providing a helping hand.

You May Also Like:

In Wake of Immigration Detentions, Advocacy Group Is Left With Many Holes To Plug

While the ICE sweep last week that ensnared a dozen immigrants has sparked outrage and ... 13 Nov 2025 by Michael Wright

Bars Over Southampton Village Hall Windows, Former Jail Cells, Will Be Removed

For some unlucky people, the workplace can feel like a prison. There’s no reason to ... by Cailin Riley

Cleaning Out

There is no setting on binoculars that works in the fog — everything in the distance remains indistinct, and that is fine. Here, the low place, called Sagg Swamp, begins a nearly uninterrupted corridor of unbuilt-upon land: wetlands, ponds and kettleholes; the Long Pond Greenbelt runs for miles to the old harbor. Today, contained, the only fog is there. It rises up from the dark muck to smudge the damp foliage with its dreamy, silver light. So, above, as the crow flies, the air is tinted between gold and pink. Fog is a reoccurring theme, because it reveals a sense ... by Marilee Foster

'Novembrance'

Gaudy October is gone. The November landscape is muted colors, falling leaves and skeletal branches. The month opens with reminders of death. In the Catholic Church, November first is All Saints’ Day. On November 2, All Souls Day is dedicated to praying for the souls of the departed. The Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead is celebrated on the same days but has a more festive air. It’s also observed across the United States. The All-Souls Procession has been an annual event since 1990 in Tucson, Arizona. San Antonio, Texas, is known for its Muertos Fest and river ... by Denise Gray Meehan

A Bright Spot

There were strong Democratic victories nationally in last week’s election, led by Mikie Sherrill winning the governorship of New Jersey, and Abigail Spanberger winning the governorship of Virginia, and other Democratic wins seen as involving clear anti-President Donald Trump viewpoints. In Suffolk County, we were in the viewing area in which a torrent of TV commercials were broadcast in the race between Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who in most of them stressed his staunch support for Trump. Although the race was predicted to be tight, Sherrill won by a large margin. This and other successful Democratic contests are being ... by Karl Grossman

Southampton Police Reports for the Week of November 13

QUOGUE — Mark Magness, 55, of Rockville Center was arrested by Quogue Police on November 6 and charged with aggravated DWI, a misdemeanor. Police pulled Magness over at 7:51 p.m. after receiving a report of a reckless and erratic driver traveling east on Montauk Highway. They located the vehicle in question, and observed the vehicle failing to maintain the lane of travel, as well as no rear marker lights on. A traffic stop was conducted; the operator was found to be intoxicated. He was arrested for DWI, with a blood alcohol level over .18, police said. He was arraigned the ... 12 Nov 2025 by Staff Writer

Assemblyman Shiavoni To Talk About Critical Issues on 'East End Live'

New York State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni will engage in a conversation about critical issues ... by Staff Writer

Meet the New Southampton Town Trustees, Not the Same as the Old Trustees

In an election cycle in which none of Southampton Town’s top offices had competitive races, ... by Michael Wright

Behind the Masks

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions are taking place across the United States, and not just in urban areas, as we discovered on the South Fork last week. But the most alarming thing about ICE raids is the aggressive nature, and the lack of transparency. Many ICE agents are making arrests while wearing masks — they will say it’s because agents have been harassed personally when they’re identified by the public. But the masks are symbolic of the entire process, which is markedly different from most police actions. When agents from New York City swept through gathering places on November ... by Editorial Board

Turnout Boosted Democrats, Weakened Republicans in Southampton Town Races

The nearly across-the-board wins by Democratic candidates in last week’s Southampton Town elections appear to ... by Michael Wright