Fleming, George
August 21, 2010George Fleming, who died recently, was a man of outstanding faith and good works and these attributes were evidenced by the huge attendances at the removal of his remains and also at his funeral Mass in St Joseph's Church.
A native of Ballingaddy, Kilmallock, he was a brilliant secondary student at Charleville CBS, where he also played hurling in goal for the Fr Harty Cup side and was subsequently invited to join a Cork minor hurling squad.
But George was always a proud Limerick man and rarely missed a game in which either the county hurlers or football's were in action.
Back in 1980 George was the organiser-in-chief of a banquet for the Limerick hurlers in an era long before supporters clubs arrived on the scene. It was fitting that a hurley was brought to the altar to mark his contribution to the GAA. Only a few months ago he asked me would it be worth holding another such dinner in the hope that the players of this year might come together and patch up the row that has afflicted the county for the past twelve months.
While sport was a big part of George's life it was his deep faith which was referred to by the chief celebrant at the Mass, Fr Damien Ryan from Our Lady of Lourdes parish. Eleven other priests assisted at the ceremony.
Fr Ryan remarked that George attended daily Mass at 8am and returned to his home in Gurteen Gardens, Ballinacurra to bring his loving wife Catherina her breakfast in bed.
That was the start of a daily round of good deeds and a recovering alcoholic told how George had played a major role in him being soder as he had driven him to a number of treatment centres and also visited him on many occasions.
George was head of accountancy at Limerick IT and after he retired he devoted several hours each week to helping students who could not afford to pay for grinds.
George also did trojan work for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and he was also a reader and minister of the Eucharist at the Redemptorist Church and especially during the annul Novena which he attended at 7am each day.
As a friend and neighbour George's loyalty was something that others could not dream of aspiring to. Whether it was a lift to the dog track, fix a puncture, provide jump leads, or perform any other task George was always ready, willing, and able to help thanks to the able assistance form his wife.
George also drew up the roster for the cutting of the grass at Southcille Gurteen and he was also a leading member of his Probus group.
The strength of George's faith was very evident when the news that he was terminally ill was given to him. Instead of lying back and moaning. George set about planning his funeral to the smallest details. He chose the readings, those to read them, and asked that there be no 'blowing by way of tributes.
George's other great sporting love and tennis, which he played twice a week at Limerick Lawn until shortly before his untimely death.
A tennis racquet and his much used prayer books were also brought to the altar.
George's only daughter Anne thanked all who had been kind to her dad "who gave us an absolute sense of security, love and never ending encouragement".
"Dad," Anne said, "instilled in all three of us a love of sport but not sport for winning sake but for partaking, camaraderie and fun."
She went on to say that even when told the full extent of his illness his thoughts were with others and he wrote thank you notes to as many as possible while able to do so.
George is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons, Kevin and George, two grandchildren, James and Rory, daughter-in-law Emma and by his two brothers and sister.
He will be missed hugely by many who have lost a true friend.
by Cormac Liddy
Courtesy of the Limerick Leader
21st August 2010 Tweet
