Thomas Joseph Fleming

Thomas Joseph Fleming, 88, passed away on February 28, 2022 with members of his family at his side.   Tom was the son of Lawrence and Marguerite Fleming and was born in Lynbrook, New York. After graduating with a B.A. in Journalism from Indiana University in 1955, he moved to New York City. With no experience other than decorating his walkup in Hell’s Kitchen, Tom claimed he was hired by his future partner, Keith Irvine, because, “I had no formal training but was interested in interior design.”  In 1967, Tom became a partner in Irvine and Fleming. He spent more than 50 years designing and decorating for scores of clients across the country and around the world who valued the way Tom understood their vision and completed projects that exceeded their expectations. His award-winning work was published in Architectural Digest and other publications. Tom was recognized in The AD 100: Top Designers and Architects.  

While working and living in New York City, Tom met the love of his life, Dr. Jack Hagstrom.  Tom and Jack enjoyed telling friends how they met and how they came to realize they were both born on December 2, 1933. They were married in Vermont in 2008 and spent more than fifty years together.  He and Jack built their home “High Tension” on the South Fork of Long Island as well as their cabin “Wit’s End” in upstate Maine. They both enjoyed the outdoors, a good martini, and weekends full of entertaining family and friends.

Tom believed that a family should support and celebrate one another. He hosted numerous family reunions and never missed his nieces’ and nephews’ graduations or wed-dings. Tom regularly broke out in song to toast the occasion and was often the life of the party. 

Tom is preceded in death by his spouse, Jack Hagstrom,  his siblings, John and Robert Fleming, Sister Mary Gregory, OSF, and Jane Coyne and his nephews and niece, Terence, Kenneth and Ginger Fleming.  Tom is survived by thirteen nieces and nephews who are located from coast to coast and will miss his love and laughter. 

A Celebration of Life at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church is planned for Monday, April 4th, at 3 PM in Bridgehampton, New York.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Tom’s favorite charities: City Harvest cityharvest.org or God’s Love We Deliver glwd.org.  If you prefer, please con-sider a charity of your choice.