BEVERLY FARMS: Mark P. Fleming, 57, died Saturday, March 19, 2011 at his home following an extended illness.
Born in Salem on September 20, 1953, he was the son of the late Walter M. and Claire L. (Dooley) Fleming. He had resided in Salem for many years before moving to Beverly Farms thirty years ago. Mark was a graduate of Salem High School and the North Shore Community College, with a degree in nursing. A U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, he was honorably discharged in 1977.
A licensed practical nurse, Mark was employed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts working at various group homes on the North Shore. He took great pride in working with the disabled, the elderly, and in crisis management. He worked for many years with developmentally-challenged adolescents at the Hogan Regional Center, where his innate kindness and explosive sense of humor made him a valuable and respected care-giver.
Mark loved all local sports and especially enjoyed spending time with his friends at West Beach. An avid reader, he loved studying history, especially World War II. Mark was a classic Irish-American story-teller and one of the funniest human beings in New England; his appearance inevitably signaled that laughter, story, and song were about to entertain everyone around him. He also had a rare and wonderful ability of treating perfect strangers like old friends. He will be remembered for his quick wit and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his brother, Michael D. Fleming, with whom he resided; two sisters, Susan M. O’Brien of Beverly Farms and Sharon A. Paster of Salem; three nieces, Kate O’Brien, Molly and her husband, Adam Neidhardt, and Julie Paster; two nephews, Scott and his wife, Denise Paster, and David and his wife, Katie Paster; a great-niece, Lila Paster; two great-nephews, Andrew Paster and Jackson Neidhardt; several cousins, and friends too numerous to mention.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday at the Grondin Funeral Home, 376 Cabot Street, Beverly, from 5 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Funeral services will be privately held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Friends of Beverly Animals, P.O. Box 3378, Beverly, MA 01915.