John Fleming

PEPPERELL -- Dr. John E. Fleming, 86, a former longtime resident of Townsend Street, died on Wednesday evening, surrounded by the love and care of his family.

John was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on Jan. 12, 1921, the son of Edward J. and Nora T. (Connolly) Fleming. He resided in Pepperell for more than 30 years, later residing in Homosassa Spings, Fla., and Manchester, N.H.

During World War II, he valiantly served his country in the United States Air Force. During his 36 months of service, he was assigned to the 415th Night Rider Fighter Squadron as a B29 Crew Chief, primarily stationed in North Africa and Italy, serving in seven campaigns.

A graduate of Lawrence Academy in Groton, upon his return from his tour of duty, he attended St. Anselm College, where he attained a bachelor’s degree in economics, magna cum laude. It was while studying at St. Anselm that John met and married his lovely wife, Margaret.

After graduating from Tufts Dental School, John and Peggy resided in Pepperell, where they built a dental practice. For three decades, he was dedicated to the care of his patients. A quiet philanthropist, he regularly gave to religious and educational institutions.

Dr. Fleming was a member of the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, and was a member of the dental staff at the Nashoba Community Hospital in Ayer. He was elected to the Pepperell Board of Health and served on the Hawthorne Brook Elementary School and Varnum Brook Middle School building committees. He was a former member and past president of the Groton-Pepperell Rotary Club. He also served as a trustee to the Pepperell Public Library. He was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church in Pepperell.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret D. (Walsh) Fleming; five children, Mary Ann Fleming and her husband, Paul McGowan, of Cape Neddick, Maine, Dr. Gregory J. Fleming and his wife, Ruth Ann, of Short Hills, N.J., Beth F. Birkett and her husband, Gary, of Milford, N.H., Mercedes Roy and her husband, Philippe, of Exeter, N.H., Claudia Fleming and her fiance, George Bitar, of New York City. He leaves nine grandchildren, Lauren F. Pavlidis, Elise Birkett, Reid Birkett, Genevieve Fleming, Christopher Fleming, Rebecca Fleming, Meredith Roy, Morgan Grandi and Christian Grandi. He also leaves his dearest friend and “brother,” Holden C. Harlow of Westfield. He was the brother of the late Kathleen Mager of South Yarmouth.

FLEMING -- A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday at St. Joseph’s Church, 28 Tarbell St., Pepperell. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Calling hours are 2-5 Sunday at the T.J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 250 Main St., Townsend Center. Please see andersonfuneral.com for additional information. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.