Marshall Joseph Fleming Sr.

Marshall Joseph Fleming, Sr. left this world to enter into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the evening of November 17, 2020, four days before his 93rd birthday. He was surrounded by his adoring family at his home. Marshall was born in Bedford, Quebec on November 21, 1927 to Thomas and Grace Fleming. At the age of two, he moved to Essex Center, Vermont, where he grew up attending the local schools and graduating from Essex High School in 1946. He married his first girlfriend and beloved wife of sixty-seven years, Gisele, who predeceased him in November of 2018. “Budge,” as he was known by family and friends, provided well for his family and worked hard for over twenty-five years at IBM in Essex, retiring in 1990. As a teenager, he set up duck pins at the Essex Bowling Alley, and after that he worked for various other employers including the University of Vermont, General Electric, Fort Ethan Allen, Jericho Firing Range, and Griswold Construction Company. He also plowed snow at the Burlington Airport for a time. Wherever he attended church, Marshall joyfully and faithfully served, including being an elder at the Maranatha Christian Church in Williston, VT. He also taught Bible study at the Burlington Homeless Shelter for ten years, and later in life helped serve lunches and share the Word of God with the homeless in Newport News, Virginia. His passion for sports led him to organize official Little League and Babe Ruth baseball leagues in Essex Jct., Vermont, and coach boys’ basketball for Essex recreation and the Holy Family Catholic Youth Organization teams. Besides coaching his four sons, Marshall was the ultimate "Coach" to so many and left an indelible mark on many youngsters. Marshall and Gisele always put their family ahead of any personal needs or wants, sacrificing tirelessly for their children, committing to pray for them daily. Whether it was going camping as a family or cheering on the Red Sox at Fenway Park or attending various sporting events of their children, and later, their grandchildren’s different activities. “They were always there.” In 2003, they relocated to Williamsburg, Virginia to be closer to two of their children and watch their youngest grandchildren grow up. Marshall leaves behind his six children, Jane (Bob) Provost of Essex Jct., Vermont; Tom of Bradenton, Florida, Joe Marshall Jr. (Sue) of Fort Collins, Colorado; Brian of Williamsburg, Virginia; Kevin (Anne) of Sheldon, Vermont; and Laurie (Vince) of Williamsburg, Virginia. He also leaves behind his eighteen grandchildren: Tracy, Kyle, and Kelly Provost, Isaac, Luke, and Samuel Fleming, Jacinda Searles and Jony Fleming, Sarah, Jesse, and Dan Reed, Joel Fleming, Clare and Adrienne Brueckner, Norma Haddad, Caleb, Josiah, and Abby Monfreda; in addition, Marshall leaves behind his thirteen great-grandchildren. He also leaves his sister, Rita Burns, and brothers-in-law, Leon (Pedie), Albert (Joan), and Paul (Les) Danis along with many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and wife Gisele, he was predeceased by grandson, Jared Monfreda; brothers, Robert and John Fleming; sister, Fern Audette; brothers-in-law, Claude Danis, Michael Datillio, and Kenneth Burns; sisters-in-law, Norma Danis, Beverly, Ellen, and Susan Danis, Jeannine Datillio, Janet, and Linda Fleming; and nephews, Mickey Datillio, Russell Audette, Gary and David Burns. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 22nd in Williamsburg, Virginia. A graveside service will be conducted in the summer in Vermont. Arrangements are by Nelsen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Wishes and condolences can be sent to [email protected].