Thomas J. Fleming

Thomas J. Fleming, 95, of Manchester died November 11th, 2016 at the Catholic Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Manchester on June 12, 1921, the son of James and Helena (Coyne) Fleming. He was educated in the local school system and graduated from Central High School, class of 1939. At the age of 21 years, he voluntarily joined the US Army Air Corps during WWII. He served as staff sergeant in the 5th Air Force, 433rd Troop Carrier Group 67th Squadron from 1942 to 1945. He was stationed in the South Pacific Theater and logged 1,156 flying hours as a radio controller. 601 hours were combat hours during 267 combat missions.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the American Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Pacific Medal with one oak leaf cluster, as well as both the American Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal.
Tom was employed by New England Telephone & Telegraph until his retirement in 1983. He was a longtime communicant of St. Joseph Cathedral and was also a member of the Henry J. Sweeney American Legion Post and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was especially proud to serve as the Grand Marshal of Manchester's 2016 Memorial Day Parade.
He enjoyed yard work and above all else, cherished time spent with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his son Daniel Fleming in 2016 and his daughter Mary Frances Fleming in 1982. He was also predeceased by his siblings, Dorothy DesRosier and James Fleming.
Family members include his wife of 71 years, Jeannette (Grandmont) Fleming of Manchester; his children, Carol Salls (Herb) of East Kingston, Thomas Fleming Jr (Janice) of Manchester, Kathleen Dolphin (Michael) of Manchester, his daughter-in-law Christine Fleming of Simsbury, CT; his grandchildren, Tara Bishop, Patrick Fleming, Thomas Dolphin and Jennifer Rodgers; eight great-grandchildren, Brigid, Maura and Michael Bishop, Georgia and Daniel Fleming, Claire and Owen Rodgers and Tess Dolphin; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 in St Joseph Cathedral Chapel. Burial with military honors followed in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford.
Donations may be made in his memory to St. Joseph Cathedral Parish Outreach, 145 Lowell St, Manchester, NH 03104.
To send a message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.