Dave Fleming

[Chipito]

Sad news, Dave passed away this morning. Penny seems to be doing pretty well. I talked to her this afternoon. As most of you know, Dave was a font of wisdom but I had the privilege of knowing him personally and he was also a great guy.

[The Bigfella]

Rest in Peace Dave.

[John B]

... sad news , very sad.
My condolences , I've had some great chats here with Dave over the years.

[erster]

RIP Dave. Thanks for the memories.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/Bateau1/IMG_0020.jpg

[StevenBauer]

Sad news, indeed. Condolences to his family.



Steven

[Paul Girouard]

Fair winds and following seas Dave.

[Canoez]

.:(. I knew him only briefly here, but he was quite an interesting guy. Condolences to Penny and the family.

[Thad Van Gilder]

That is such a loss... guys like that are getting mighty hard to come by...

-Thad

[FSS172]

I'm sorry to hear of his loss; my condolences to his family and those of you who knew him personally.

[Donn]

Rip o&o.

[htom]

A loss not only to WBF but sailing, sailors, and their boats, everywhere. My condolences to Penny, and all who loved him.

[Nanoose]

So sorry, Penny and family. Blessings on you.

[ishmael]

Requiem

UNDER the wide and starry sky
Dig the grave and let me lie:
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you 'grave for me:
Here he lies where he long'd to be;
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.

Stevenson

Goodbye, Dave.

[Paul Pless]

. . .

[Tar Devil]

An icon of our passion gone.

Fair winds, Dave. Prayers for you, Penny!

[Bob Smalser]

Godspeed, Doc.

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[PaulC]

Our prayers and sympathy are with you at this sad time.

[Donn]

Here's Rona. Snuggling with Dave tonight.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/donnwest/ImageofRona.jpg

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

A great loss. The world is a smaller place for him leaving it... My condolences and prayers to the family..:(:(:(

[erster]

Ms. Penny says to tell all thanks for all the correspondance and friendship. She does ask me to convey to all that there will be no services. He passed peacefully after being with his family all day and alert for part of the time yesterday, and with close family this morning by his side.

[paladin]

Listen close------ you can hear distant drums and voices raising to the sky in prayer, joy or mourning the death of a warrior...

We got our experience in the same place at different times in history, he with the full time heavy timber crowd, and I with the local hippy population in lightweight multihulls, but in reality, the educations were the same.

[Hwyl]

I feel this personally. A great loss.

[clancy]

Rest in Peace

[RGM]

Very sad news indeed. I had the good fortune to work with Dave and Penny back in the late 70's at the Marco Shipyard in Seattle. We occasionally have reunion dinners (about once per year) for past Marco shipwrights, I was always hoping that Dave and Penny might be able to make it to one some time. I'll be sure to let his ex-coworkers in Seattle know that he passed away. I'm glad that he was able to have Penny and his family at his side. Rest In Piece Dave.

[Russ Manheimer]

Farewell Dave, thanks for your counsel.

[Bob Smalser]

Doc Fleming. Always more than met the eye.




Growing up in NYC in a upper middle class family made as much difference to me as to be almost non-existent. Father was of that class while mother was well... lets say, have you heard the term 'shanty Irish'? Ayup, her beginnings were a different, tougher world.

Father's family was just nice folks, good to each other, warm and caring, did all they could (Grandparents) to give the 5 children a good life and education, but the Depression hit them hard and my Father did not get the chance to go to college. He made it though on intelligence, character and charm. He started as a salesman for a small southern textile firm, Cone Mills. He was executive VP and member of the board when his life was cut short by a stroke. But, he developed a way of doing business on a hand shake that was something the textile market had not seen before. Good as gold nah, it was as good as Dave Fleming's word. And yes, he did have some leg ups along the way. Principally through my Granduncle. Granduncle Bill was a partner in a Wall St. brokerage firm with his own seat on the NYSE. That side was in stocks and banking. Another uncle was a VP at Chase Bank later Chase Manhattan Bank. The owners of the textile firm were clients of GU Bill's company and it was he who got my father an interview with them when my father declined to work on Wall St. All my other uncles on that side did work on Wall St and one had his own seat on the NYSE too.

I cannot recall having things given to me. I was dressed well, got good medical and dental care, was sent to summer camp each year, but had one sports jacket to wear to prep school for the first year and when I got a spot of chlorine from the swimming pool on it my mother got a bottle of green ink that closely matched and dabbed that on the spot. I didn't think anything of it. I cannot recall being in need of things had enough I guess. I had books and a Public Library across the boulevard from our home and later a little radio of my own to listen to Friday night mysteries.
:-))

College competition was fierce in NYC for all schools public and private. A huge population of second and third generation sons and daughters from a gazillion different ethnic groups were all competing for those pubic university or college spots. In NYC and all of NY State one had to take Regents Examinations in senior year. These were state-wide and the Regents diploma counted way more towards any NY State college admission than the diploma issued from your graduating high or prep school. It was even asked for by out-of-state admission offices along with your HS transcript.

I went first to a small college in Philadelphia with a $10 a week allowance along with my full tuition including room and board. I hated the place and Phila at that time. It, Phila was still 'blue'! Saturday night at the stroke of midnight the whole place shut down. No nothing on Sunday. You can imagine what that must have been like to someone coming from NYC! Had long talk with father in early spring and he agreed to let me come home and go to school in NYC. I started at Columbia that fall. I have no recollection of the tuition fees in fact I had a very poor grasp of the value of money or how to earn it?!?! Didn't learn to drive till I was about 18, didn't have a car till we were married a year just never thought of needing one. Subways, buses, trains seemed to do just fine. Not that I was spoiled but it had less direct importance to me.

SWIMPAL aka Precious Penny and I had been keeping company since we were 15 and in neighboring prep schools and lived in the same apartment house initially. Dates consisted of long walks or picnics or an occasional movie but neither of us were big movie fans and preferred to be out side in most all weather. We both had summer jobs as Lifeguards. Penny at Jones Beach State Park with her diving instructress and me for about 4 weeks before going out to the South Fork of Long Island near East Hampton to work on the waterfront at the same summer camp I went to as a child. Lifeguarded, taught non-swimmers to swim and sailing. Later during Junior and Senior year summers worked on Wall St.

College was more what my parents wanted not a particular desire of mine. I wanted to be a carpenter or preferably a boatbuilder, even as a teenager, but with the scars of the Depression just scabbed over, college was mandatory or me. I really wanted to go to Brooklyn Tech for Carpentry and Boat Building, alas I got the big NO from my parents who thrust me into the prep school scene in NYC. Religious Prep School at that, sigh.

Wound up with 2 degrees one BA in English Lit with a minor in philosophy and a BS in Economics. 5 years of college study both full and part time as I was working on Wall St. too. Let me tell you it was very difficult to break away from the big bucks and start almost 'below the bottom' when I began my shipwright apprenticeship. I was 23 and competing with fellows that had began at 17 or 18. Thank goodness I got some decent mentoring right off the bat.

But in retrospect, I say it was a valuable experience and one not to be passed on lightly.

[Tom M.]

I will miss Dave's input here. Much respect to a kind, generous and knowlegable man.

Tom Moen

[J. Dillon]

Sad news indeed. But Dave's legacy and knowledge is passed on for us to read up in Building & repair.

Thanks Dave and rest in peace.

JD

[BrianW]

Sad news. Our prayers and best thoughts go out to all that might be feeling the loss.

[C. Ross]

Godspeed to Mr. Fleming, and to his family and many friends.

[rufustr]

Sad news. Condolences to his family.

[Dave Gray]

I am so sorry to hear this. Best wishes to the family and fair winds on your further travels, Dave. I hope your stories are not lost with your passing.

[Ian McColgin]

After so many years together, Peggy is not really sailing alone so much as Dave is ahead taking soundings. Like Susan Hiscock after Eric crossed the bar.

[Antonio Majer]

Condolences by me too.

[Robbie 2]

Sad to hear this news..RIP Dave... you will be missed by one and all.

[Bob Cleek]

I am saddened to lose a friend. My prayers to Penny and the rest of Dave's family. He was a prince.

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Very sad news indeed. Rest in peace, Dave.

Mike

[Spin_Drift]

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.


I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!



You will always be with us... Fair winds Dave...



Strength and peace to you Penny.

Love from Spinner, Kalevala & Cass

[Tylerdurden]

God Bless.

[Claudia]

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:FQuTcEe3RvKGPM:http://i51.photobucket.com

[sv Lorelei]

Our condolences, Penny. I always enjoyed what Dave had to add to a conversation, and will miss his honesty and helpfulness.

[cs]

Rest in Peace Dave.

Chad

[davidagage]

"Men in a ship are always looking up, and men ashore are usually looking down." -John Masefield

We have another reason to look up.
Godspeed Mr. Fleming.


David

[Rich VanValkenburg]

This hasn't been a very good year. We've lost a good man. My condolences.

[holzbt]

Rest in peace. My condolences to Penny.

[JimJ]

Rest in peace, Dave.

[Concordia...41]

Godspeed and God bless.

- Margo Geer

[T.A.R.]

God Speed Dave, My condolences to his family.

[Seth Wood]

Godspeed, Dave. You are part of everything I build.

[Lew Barrett]

I will miss our email discussions, your tips, your candor and advice, and the presents received out of the blue. I regret not getting to San Diego to visit you, but I cherish our friendship, short though it was. Sail on sailor.

[Mrleft8]

What can I say that hasn't already been expressed?
I too will miss Mssr. Fleming.

[FSS172]

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[Katherine]

Rest in peace. My condolences to his loved ones.

[Stephen Kessler]

Dave we only knew each other for a short time. I will miss our discussions about growing up in Brooklyn. It was a privilege knowing you.
Peace.

[Yeadon]

Very sad. Condolences to his family, and to all of you, who were very obviously his friends.

[JimD]

Fair winds, Dave.

[gary porter]

I'm very sad to hear this news. Just got back to town. I was still hoping that he could pull out of it. Prayers for Penny and family. We'll all miss him here for sure.
We'll Splice the Main Brace tonight.
God be with our friend.
Gary & Deb

[Captain Blight]

Crossing The Bar by Lord Alfred Tennyson
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.



So sad to hear this. Condolences to all.

[Duncan Gibbs]

RIP Mr Fleming!

[John Meachen]

Condolences to Dave's family and friends.

[G. Schollmeier]

.......

[Lion]

Goodbye Dave, and I am the better for knowing you. Condolences to the Fleming family. Peace.

Thanks
Lion

[abbyj]

Dave,

Thank-you for everything you given to the forum. Your advice and knowledge will help others ad infinitum.

My thoughts and prayers..................:(

[john l]

my condolences

[Phil Heffernan]

The best revenge is a life well lived;)

The end of life is a mystery for us all...But it seems Dave did it right...

He had a BIG personality and character, and was well respected for it...Can any of us hope for more...

Fair winds, Big Guy...

PH

[Bill R]

Damn. Fair winds Mr. Fleming...

[Hughman]

Wishing you fair winds and following seas, in the journey ahead.


Good bye, friend.

[Brian Palmer]

RIP.

Brian

[Wayne Jeffers]

RIP Dave. You will be missed.

Wayne

[outofthenorm]

Fair winds, following seas and a fine harbour at journey's end. RIP Mr. Fleming.

- Norm

[reddog]

Thank you Dave for all you have given,fair winds.

Earl

[Don Kurylko]

I expect there’s a rollicking ol’ EBS going on right now with the all the “boys” in Fiddler’s Green!

Sail on Dave, sail on…..

[Tom Robb]

God's speed Dave.

[Michael s/v Sannyasin]

I didn't know Dave, but you can tell a little something about a person by all the lives they've touched. I wish him, and those he's left behind, peace.

[wdnbt]

Very sad news . Rest in peace, Dave.

Rick

[Harry Miller]

Rest in peace and fair winds Dave. You didn't know me but I knew lots about you from reading "Welcome to Sag Harbour"
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/djf3rd/index.html

[FSS172]

Rest in peace and fair winds Dave. You didn't know me but I knew lots about you from reading "Welcome to Sag Harbour"
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/djf3rd/index.html
Harry - Thanks for that link. I can now better appreciate both the man and the loss of his passing. Jim

[hokiefan]

Fair winds and smooth sailing.

Bobby

[botebum]

Fair winds Dave and may your family have peace.

Doug

[boylesboats]

After loggin in.. I am shocked
Fair winds Dave... I gonna miss ya...

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

An icon of our passion gone.

Fair winds, Dave. Prayers for you, Penny!

Well said, Dave is in parts of all good wooden boats.

I KNOW for a fact that he is in this little Dory.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m320/fosterhere/Dove2.jpg

We traded many an email on the proper way to restore her. Both Dove and I morn his passing.

PMJ take good care of her, there is some of Dave in her.

[Lucky Luke]

I had not come here for months...and I just wanted to ask Dave about something HE would have known....and there is the news... :-(

There is soooo much you teached, here, Dave, but so much you knew that will follow you where you've gone now....

Fairwinds, Dave

Luc

[Willin']

A sad lyric from an Irish immigrant song comes to mind...

"He was a strong
and a fiesty old fellow,
considering his life was so hard."

Very sad times, indeed.

Condolences to the family.

[Dave R]

Godspeed Dave.

[wwaterman]

My condolences.

[Paul Denison]

A loss to us here.

[nedL]

My prayers will be for the Flemmings. I'll miss you Dave.

[pipefitter]

. . . . .

[erster]

Per request, Ms. Penny wanted to pass along her sincere thanks again for the words and responses. She also would like to share a few updates, one being that a celebration of life is to be tommorrow on what would have been their 47 wedding anniversary at their favorite chinese dining facility. So pop a cork, a top or just bend an elbow with the pair in mind.

[garland reese]

Thanks for the update Mike. Tell Penny she is in our prayers...

[jonsailr]

I haven't been on much, of late, and am saddened to learn of Dave's passing, and wish to add my thoughts to the many others.

I am glad to live in a time where a forum to get to know him like this existed, and grateful he took the time to create his Sag Harbor web page, as I love losing myself in it every six months or so.

[ssor]

I learned more form Dave just by being here than I have learned from some who tried to teach. I am better for having paid heed to his words and poorer that I didn't read more of them. I will surely miss his wit and wisdom.

[Vince Brennan]

I learned more form Dave just by being here than I have learned from some who tried to teach. I am better for having paid heed to his words and poorer that I didn't read more of them.



I doubt anyone could want a finer epitaph.

[Gary Bergman]

I haven't been online for a week or three; Damn, I'm gonna miss Dave..If Penny reads this, my heart's out to ya, honey....

[Jim Hillman]

A very sad loss of a very good man, Dave you are missed. Penny, my condolences to you and your family.