I shed a tear as I wrote this piece. We lost my beloved Dad this weekend. The son of Italian immigrants, as a WWII vet, he landed at Normandy, survived the bloody Battle of the Bulge, and liberated those persecuted in German concentration camps. Later, in the war-time ski patrol in Europe, he skied the Alps before he returned to America to graduate from the College of the Holy Cross and Syracuse University College of Law. He practiced law for 28 years before ascending to the bench as Oneida County Family Court Judge, where he served with great perspecacity for 31 years.
He was a life-long golfer, (with several eagles on par-4s), a gifted skier, (mighty Whiteface, the Olympic venue in Lake Placid was his home mountain), an enchanting dancer with Jean, his beloved wife of 53 years, and revered state wide as a fine, fair, kind-hearted Judge, and an even more loving person. The entire city mourns his passing as the end of an era – one more of the Greatest Generation who now shake Jesus’ hand for their good works on Earth.
At Your Author’s request, Dad will play his first rounds of golf in Heaven with golf architect Mike Strantz and two golf buddies of his choosing at National Golf Links of America, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Forsgate’s Banks Course, and Dad’s beloved Crestwood Golf Club, where he was a member for 30 years.
Via con dios, Dad. I love you more than I could ever find the words to tell you. I’ll meet you at the Pearly Gates, and we’ll play Forsgate together. Just remember – don’t hit it in Shell Bunker. It’s 20 feet deep.
Hon. John E. Flemma Memorial Services
Calling Hours – Wed. May 9 4pm-7pm
Eannace Funeral Home
932 South St., Utica, NY
Mass of Christian Burial – Thurs May 10 at 10:15
St. Anthony and St. Agnes
422 Tilden Ave, Utica, NY
