Avis de décès de Paul-T. Fleming - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

NORTH ANDOVER -- Paul Timothy Fleming, 68, a North Andover resident whose prolific career in education included serving as principal at Lowell Catholic High School and Wilmington High School, died unexpectedly Thursday morning, June 15, at home, with his dear wife Phyllis at his side.He was born in Lawrence, April 27, 1938, son of the late John Patrick and Elizabeth (Roche) Fleming. He attended the Lawrence Public Schools, including the A.B. Bruce Elementary, which at the time, was led by his father, who served as its principal. He graduated from Central Catholic High School, in Lawrence, in 1955. He later attended Merrimack College in North Andover, majoring in history, and graduated in 1959.From 1959 through 1961, Mr. Fleming served as a radio operator on the USS Dealey, a destroyer escort. It was a time that took his vessel and crewmates to every naval seaport in Central and South America. He would also take part in patrols in the waters of the North Atlantic, listening for Soviet submarines.Following his military service, Mr. Fleming began his 42-year career in education in Bellingham.In his first year as a teacher, Mr. Fleming taught history, science and algebra at Bellingham High School. He quickly made a name for himself as the instructor who led his charges in colorful re-enactments of famous Revolutionary, Civil, and World War I and II battles.It was in Bellingham, where he would meet his wife Phyllis, who was an elementary schoolteacher. They met at a Christmas ice cream social for faculty in December of 1961. They would marry eight months later and remain at each other's side for the next 43 years.In 1962, Mr. Fleming moved to Westboro High School, where he would teach history, economics and geography. He would also coach boys' junior varsity basketball and cross country. When he was not working, he was pursuing a master's degree in Russian history from Assumption College, which he eventually earned. That was followed by a second master's degree, in secondary school administration from Boston University.Mr. Fleming's Westboro tenure lasted eight years. For the last three, he served as the school system's youngest administrator when he was named chairman of the social studies department at 29.In 1970, Mr. Fleming was named assistant principal at Plymouth-Carver Regional High School. It was here where he would formulate the leadership style that would help him achieve his dream of becoming a high school principal.Of all his professional achievements and triumphs in Plymouth, the two that stood out in his mind occurred in 1978 and 1984, when the senior classes dedicated their yearbooks to him. The honors were a tad unusual, in that of Mr. Fleming's primary duties was school disciplinarian.In his second year as the principal at Wilmington High School, Mr. Fleming oversaw a multimillion dollar renovation of the building.Mr. Fleming's final public school principal's job was at Leominster High School from 1995 through 2000. He was named principal to the 1,300-student school when he was 56.A devout Catholic, Mr. Fleming found great joy when he served as the principal of Lowell Catholic High School from 2000 through 2003. He particularly enjoyed having his son with him at the final graduation he oversaw in 2003.When he was not working, Mr. Fleming loved spending time with Phyllis on the south coast of Maine during the nice summer weather.He was also an avid Patriots and Bruins fan. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Paul T. Fleming Jr.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Phyllis and Brian Dodd of Glen Allen, Va., and Heather and John Young of Chelmsford; two granddaughters, Abigail Dodd and Meghan Young; two grandsons, Brady Patrick Dodd and Connor Fleming Young; two brothers, John Fleming of Chelmsford, and David Fleming of Methuen; and a sister, Elizabeth McMorrow, also of Methuen.