Melvyn Duncan Fleming
October-15-1937 - October-02-2019
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the Hupperts posted a condolence
Debby, sending lots of hugs to you and your family. Remember he will never be far away, as he will always be in your hearts! Love you lots! Oxoxo
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Eldon Scott posted a condolence
Our deepest condolences to you all. It was a shock when we heard of Mel's passing.
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Judy and Louis Paksi posted a condolence
Debby, Shawn, Randy and Mrs Fleming! So very sorry for your loss! Hope that you time together sharing family memories gives you comfort and strength at this difficult time!
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The Bassett Family posted a condolence
On behalf of the Bassett family, our sincere condolences to Peggy and the entire Fleming family.
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Monday, February 10, 2020
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The family of Melvyn Duncan Fleming uploaded a photo
Monday, February 10, 2020
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The family of Melvyn Duncan Fleming uploaded a photo
Monday, February 10, 2020
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The family of Melvyn Duncan Fleming uploaded a photo
Monday, January 20, 2020
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Debby Fleming lit a candle
Sunday, October 6, 2019
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Debby's Tribute
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Mel Fleming, our father was many things. To me he was my greatest supporter and teacher. I admired many aspects about my dad, the love and pride for those he loved. After 58 years of marriage I would still catch my dad looking at my mom with a twinkle of love in his eyes. He loved to talk about his family and close friends. He like to tease and joke with us. Sharing the stories of all of us, let’s call it what it is........... Bragging. He was just so proud of all of us. The minute one of his grandchildren showed up or called he would light up. </p>
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He was a passionate man, with many interests. I remember running into the house a child and he would be reading the paper, a game on the TV and a game on the radio. He loved to provide and make all of us happy. Besides the amazing love of his wife and his family, his greatest love was Crow Lake. There are so many memories with my family and friends, he always wanted to share his love here with everyone. Many of our family and friends have experienced this cottage and lake life. </p>
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If you were willing to learn he would teach you anything. From boating, to painting, to trapping mice. He loved to fish and shared this knowledge, everything fishing! At one point (I think I was 7), he said to me “if you can’t bait your on hook you cannot come fishing”. He proceeded to show me how to put the wiggle worm on the hook. It was not long after that he said, “if you can take a fish off the hook you cannot come fishing” yet he always helped if I struggled. This lead to teaching me how to clean and filet a fish. I remember waking up early on a rainy day to go catch worms for fishing. My dad ended up being a big part of the Fishery in his later years, something he enjoyed being a part and was proud to talk about. He showed us play, he took us on trips, drove us to amusement parks, zoo's, museums, horseback riding, gathering bread to take to the fish sanctuary so we could see the big fish! Not to mention the many hours and patience to teach us to waterskiing, sitting in the boat for long hours watching us jumping cliffs and so much more. The lake will forever be in my heart, thanks Dad! </p>
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For many years my dad and mom would drive across Canada and the US to see their grandbabies and their parents. He was full of pride when it came to his grandchildren. He also made sure that all the grandchildren experienced the cottage. Many, many hours of driving just to be a part of their lives.</p>
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Mel Fleming, loved community. From being a leader swim team in Bayshore Barracuda’s, to being part of the Fishery and Lake Association or a simple dog walk with his fellow cottagers. He found joy in the simplest of life. He instilled in me the love for adventure, nature and wildlife. </p>
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Thank you for showing me to find joy in the smallest beauties. Thank you for showing me to be strong and independent. Thank you for everything you did to support me and love me. I love you dad and miss you! You’re favourite daughter.</p>
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Shawn Fleming lit a candle
Sunday, October 6, 2019
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Shawn's Tribute ( from the Service)
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If you knew Mel you knew his passions. The one passion I know he loved the most was his family. He may not have expressed it well in days gone by, but in later years we really learned his heart. He loved watching his children as they grew up being involved in many of the activities they participated in from Coaching Baseball to staying involved in the Bayshore Barracudas Swim Team as president for several years. He was a provider, during their younger years he was able to allow for Peggy to stay home and be the homemaker for the family.</p>
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His work was important to him. He moved to Ottawa Ontario in the early 70’s to provide a better life for his family working for the Federal government and leaving the Bell Canada “Legacy” the Fleming Family had. His son Shawn remember growing up in Bayshore and was getting picked on at school. He made a point of teaching Shawn how to throw a punch using his entire body…he believed in standing up for yourself.</p>
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When his children hit the teenage years and had more needs his wife Peggy re entered the workforce. We do not believe he wanted this for her however as the kids got older there was more needs and the extra income helped the family. I know he was proud of Peggy for helping the family and proud each of his children because he let us/them know in his later years. He was also a great teacher, When Mel decided he needed a motorcycle, he was gracious enough to hand the first set of keys to randy (with a bank note, so he could learn how to manage Money. Later to buy a second Motorcycle and do the same thig for Shawn. Now Tell me How many dad’s would do that?</p>
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He loved his grandchildren, Ryan & Courtney were the first 2 on the scene and he and Peggy would travel across Canada to see them and when Shawn Married Carolyn he took a shine to Kelsi & Karli then shortly after Tanner was born. You could see his eyes light up anytime he was able to spend with his grandchildren.</p>
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Let’s talk about Dads passion in life, his Fishing, oh my gosh each of his children would spend countless hours catching Bass & Walleye with Mel at Crow Lake and many other lakes in the Rideau Lakes System. He was always up for a fishing trip even when they had to carry supplies miles down the railway track too fish hidden lakes and catch Largemouth bass by the dozen. Or how he found the best spots to fish on the lake to fish, he really could have been a guide. Randy Shawn & Debby remember a great trip they took to Florida in high school. Mel was so determined to take his family Deep sea fishing. He had a favorite Captain from his previous trips to the Florida Keys, On the day they had scheduled there were Small Craft Warnings however somehow he was able to talk the captain to take the family out fishing. Once he agreed they left and it was a rough seas day. While they each caught fish Shawn & Randy Caught 70 -80Pound Amberjack and Debby was able to land a little tuna. It took her forever to land this little fish and when we talked about this with dad in the hospital his grin showed his memory was in tact. He always had his family in mind when he made decisions. They spent many years renting Cottages on Crow lake until he found the little Gem of a cottage he and Peggy bought on Crow lake. They owned the cottage for 40 years and the cottage had 100’s of visitors stay with the family over those years.</p>
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Not only was Mel an avid fisherman he also took very seriously preservation. Once he retired from Civil work he got involved with the Fisheries Department in Ontario focused on stocking lakes (Crow & Bobs Lake) and creating new spawning beds for the Walleye all around both lakes. Randy stayed involved in some of these projects. He was active on a weekly and even daily bases doing this work as a volunteer and received many awards for his efforts.</p>
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In closing we have to acknowledge his love for his wife Peggy, AS of September 23rd they were married for 58 Years. Neither would say all those years were blissful, none of us can say that, however I believe both had a deep love for each other that showed more and more the longer they stayed together. They set the example to many people including their children that you don’t give up on each other.</p>
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Mel last days were tough for the family. Mel had medical issues for years that impeded his quality of life And letting your father and husband go is not an easy thing to go through. However we all know Mel, Dad is no longer in pain and living in a renewed body beside the father in heaven looking down on us and smiling at all our accomplishments. </p>
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Randy lit a candle
Sunday, October 6, 2019
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Randy's Tribute (from the Service)
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Thank you everyone for coming it is comforting for us to have you here and feel the support and love from all you here…as well as many that reached out that could not be here.</p>
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All of us here in someway, some shape or form has had our lives impacted by dad….. maybe small, medium or Extra large… Dad, … Mel…or should I say as his mother Nana - would say Melvyn</p>
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Truth be known, and sometimes us behind his back …. Melvyn… </p>
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Oh yes Melvyn had made his impacts to each of our lives.</p>
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For me …it was and will always be Extra Extra Large….</p>
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Growing up dad always made sure we had every opportunity to try and find our passion…weather it was music, sports, outdoor pursuits and simple life skills</p>
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Music… you want to play the what ? …taking me to my weekly accordion lessons…and oh no that 12 button rental accordion would never do ..I needed a full size , mother of pearl enlayed . 140 button , full size, with twice the base, behemoth Accordion…then 3 weeks later give that up for more sports…</p>
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So then Mel switched over from music lesson chauffeur to be our coach for little league baseball team. Even supplying mum with nearly HOW MANY …100 ?? hot dogs to fuel our end of season team party / hot dog eating contest…</p>
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Seasons changed and then he got excited …a chance we followed in his footsteps playing Outdoor Hockey… just like Hank and him…did when they grew up …at the outdoor rink in Bayshore…well that only lasted 1 season of us complaining of frozen – I am sure nearly frostbitten feet…all of us players with out feet on the heating vent in ‘Shack’ …and Dad saying …you boys should consider yourself lucky …growing up we didn’t have fancy heated change shacks, fancy goal nets and real vulcanized rubber pucks…We had to use frozen horse shi…droppings from the roads.</p>
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After realizing we needed a more delicate sport …that lead us to what better sport than competitive swimming ….Dad didn’t miss a beat …and was in ( even a couple of times actually in the pool) He told me once that he never knew how to swim until after watching us….</p>
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And not just for transportation he joined the Swim team committee, attended clincis and became certified as a judge.</p>
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Then Swim-a-thon organizer and … Sponsor Collector extraordinaire … making sure each one of us kids had the chance to be #1 fund raiser for swimming 200 lengths of the pool. </p>
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And he didn’t stop there …engaging our local MPP Walter Baker, to get better swimming facilities and grants for Eastern Ontario Swimming.</p>
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Then there was the vacation and that had to be outdoors….let’s go camping …OK Golden Lake… well that was fun …but a little to close to nature for mum…well out for a Sunday drive …and the social media board of the day ( Tourist Stand on Hwy 7 ) had a pamphlet for King’s Camp Cottage rentals…well this was a step up …and next year I’ll get the family a boat, and we’ll go fishing …</p>
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And OMG did Dad love to fish…(wait till you see the memory picture slide show, every second picture of Dad he is holding a stringer of fish !</p>
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And all Boaters get it …2 foot’itis. </p>
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What would you kids say to a bigger boat…say that yellow boat over there….how fast did we say Yes… and once he showed us the ropes (sorry lines) he would Nearly NEVER SAY NO to our constant calls on him: </p>
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“ Dad can you take us water skiing, Dad can you take us to the cliffs, Dad can I borrow the boat ( Well that one took a while before we heard yes)</p>
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Then Dad asked us …what if we buy our own family cottage …again we couldn’t say yes fast enough…. And how naive were we eh Shawn !!! </p>
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The cottage Dad bought was the understatement of Fixer, upper…no plumbing, no ceiling, no walls, no heat or any insulation at least no insulation still where it was supposed to be…</p>
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I like to think Dad was saying what a perfect opportunity to teach the boys and family some excellent life skills, however it was more probably got my 2 boys and their friends free labour in exchange for some cottage time. Plus everything dad learned about cottaging, he learned from the best! Norm King Owner of King’s Cottages and Camp who offered dad his Coffee tin of straighten out rusty nails... </p>
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Well Dad guided us through the rehabilitation of the cottage that server us so well for over 20 years…and provided our family, extended family, expanding family and oh so many friends…sooo many good times, and memories…</p>
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Oh Life Skills we learned ….Shawn I mean do you remember insulating underneath the cottage…</p>
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Norm and Ken …wasn’t that a fun filled weekend shingling the roof, ( Norm afraid of heights and Ken only slightly less afraid because he was able to tie himself to the chimney, Shawn guess we can tell him now you Dad and I installed that Chimney…</p>
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And when Dad helped us with further life skills ( again likely he was just looking to save money by having use take down those huge Oak trees…I mean over 100 ft…Well I had my brand new chainsaw …Ken with his strike duty skills to save the telephone wires…and I forget who’s truck was it that we nearly catapulted across the road …to keep the tree from falling on the cottage.</p>
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As life move on for us kids…he didn’t sit idle…he started to volunteer in the lakes association …he found his niche - Director in charge in charge of fisheries….and rallied so many volunteers… usually the first call… (Hi Randy, you coming up to the cottage next weekend can you bring the trailer ? ) …</p>
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He had a way to rally and lead the teams of volunteers and working with ministry agencies for grants and resources to re-establish Pickerel and Lake trout spawning grounds. He continued his volunteering efforts, monitoring lake water quality and fish migration patterns, earning not only the respect of local fishers, and camp owners, but also Volunteer of the year from the townships, and Ministry of Ontario recognition as a steward of Crow and Bobs lake. </p>
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<strong>NOW TO BE HONEST…I honestly think dad was just feeling guilty and wanted to replenish all of the fish he caught over the years…( wait till you seen the slide show in the reception hall ! :) )</strong></p>
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So, you might say, Hey Randy, Those are great stories…so what your point… thought this was to be about your Dad….well…</p>
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I want you all to know …that my Dad, despite the number of ‘Melvyn stories I may have share with many of you over the years …Well I believe he is a great part of why I am the person I am today….he gave me opportunities to improve and challenge myself through my childhood years. Gave us as a family Great vacations and memories, and opened his door to all of our friends, in order that we all had so many great weekends, vacations, adventures, and not to mention some pretty great parties ( Festival of Joy ) (only a few mentioned above.). </p>
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Taught me how to be handy and not afraid to tackle any job around the house, a motor or machine.</p>
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And most importantly he taught me, through example how to help others and understand the hidden rewards of giving the most valuable commodity we have …TIME.</p>
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And speaking of time mine is up and in closing I will simply quote my dad …. </p>
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‘Oh Boy’…… and in summary of his life well…I know what he would say….</p>
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<strong>“That’s Fantastic” </strong></p>
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The Bassett Family posted a condolence
Sunday, October 6, 2019
On behalf of the Bassett family, our sincere condolences to Peggy and the entire Fleming family.
J
Judy and Louis Paksi posted a condolence
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Debby, Shawn, Randy and Mrs Fleming! So very sorry for your loss! Hope that you time together sharing family memories gives you comfort and strength at this difficult time!
E
Eldon Scott posted a condolence
Friday, October 4, 2019
Our deepest condolences to you all. It was a shock when we heard of Mel's passing.
t
the Hupperts posted a condolence
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Debby, sending lots of hugs to you and your family. Remember he will never be far away, as he will always be in your hearts! Love you lots! Oxoxo
Saturday
5
October
Chapel Service
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Blair & Son - Perth Chapel
15 Gore St. W.
Perth, Ontario, Canada
613-267-3765
