Roscommon businessman was “generous, unassuming and compassionate”, funeral hears
The Late Liam Fleming.
Roscommon Town businessman Liam Fleming was described as “generous, unassuming and compassionate” during his Funeral Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart today, Friday.
Mr Fleming, Golf Links Road, Roscommon and formerly of Main Street, Roscommon and Ballinlough, passed away peacefully on Wednesday at Roscommon Hospice in his 90th year.
During his Funeral Mass today, Fr. Kevin Fallon told the congregation that despite being a successful businessman, he was “generous, unassuming and compassionate”.
“He brought so much joy to others not least to his own family who he was very proud of,” he said.
Fr Fallon said Mr Fleming was also very proud of Ballinlough where he hailed from.
Mourners were told that Mr Fleming, a man a strong faith, was a very positive man despite his illness in recent years.
Symbols at the altar captured his life. A photograph of the 50th anniversary of the opening of his business, represented more than fifty years as an employer in Roscommon where he gave employment to many, and where he showed true dedication in serving his customers.
In 1972, Mr Fleming and his wife Lilian established Fleming's VG on Main Street and the business, now under the SuperValu brand, is run by his son Shane and wife, Orla.
A bowl of clay symbolised Mr Fleming’s love of farming, gardening and his deep connection to his roots in Ballinlough.
A statue of a gaslight man represented his commitment to community, including his many years as treasurer of the local Christmas Light Committee to his involvement in the development of Loughnaneane Park.
A deck of cards illustrated his enjoyment of a game of cards and a passport represented his love of travel, meeting new people and sampling new food and culture.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ríona, one of his daughters, told mourners that their father showed great commitment in serving his community and gave all of his children a very strong work ethic.
“To us, he was just Dad and what a Dad he was. Our Dad was a man of very few words but what he did say to us carried weight and was listened to,” she said.
She said their father and his wife Lilian were “a great partnership in life and business and their 58 years of marriage stands as a testament to that love”.
She also described Mr Fleming as kind, tolerant and patient and the “definition of a gentleman”.
Following Funeral Mass, he was laid to rest afterwards in St. Coman’s Cemetery.
Dearly missed by his loving wife Lilian and adored daughters Ríona, Eustelle, Lisa, Fiona, sons Shane and Aiden. Deeply regretted by his sons-in-law Leo (McGuinness), Garreth (Carroll), Robert (Tilson), Michael (Brehony), daughter-in-law Orla (Thompson), much loved grandchildren Della, Theo, Roddie, Síoda, Jack, Dylan, Daniel, Simone, Liam, William, Isobel, Scott, Emma and Eloise, sister Patricia (Gill) sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He is predeceased by his grandson Oscar Brehony and brothers Oliver and Brian.
Liam Dunne, a young Roscommon man who passed away suddenly on Tuesday, and his family were also remembered during the Prayers of the Faithful.
