After a lengthy struggle with various health challenges, Dennis Joseph Fleming left our world on May 12 after receiving extraordinary care at Mt. Sinai hospital. He gave more than he took, he loved more than he let on, and after surviving lung cancer 25 years ago, created a beautiful final chapter as a husband, father, grandfather and community servant.

Dennis was born in Staten Island and graduated from St. Peters High School and St. Peters College. He spent his entire career serving the interests of youth, first as a NYC area representative for Junior Achievement and then as the first Executive Director of the Rockland County Youth Bureau. Over the past 40 years, Dennis Fleming cultivated the Rockland nonprofit community with his vision, energetic leadership, and networking skills. His unwavering commitment to fostering a better life for the people of Rockland inspired him to plant the seeds for a number of non-profits, as well as serving on many of their Boards, including VCS, Rockland 21C (25 years) and the Rockland Conservatory of Music (20 years).
The Rockland Community Foundation (RCF), which he founded over 15 years ago, was closest to his heart. RCF was a gratifying dream come true for him. He and his wife Gail have the Fleming/Fleur Childrens’ Fund administered by RCF to honor their lifetime professions serving youth. For his leadership, advocacy, caring, support and dedication he has been recognized with special honors by many Rockland non-profits, receiving the Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Rockland Development Council in 2018.
He was a mensch, as well as a news junkie with a passion for his family, music, travel, good food, and of course the Yankees. He is survived by his wife Gail Fleur, his sons Frank Murphy (wife Mary), Dennis Fleming Jr. (Jenny Fleming), sister Rita Fleming-Castaldy (husband Kyle), nephew Chris Cottrell, step-children Ryan Fleur (wife Laura Banchero), Dana Fleur (husband Max Gerber) and eight grandchildren: Ryan, Kaleigh, Ava, Neave, Maea , Robert, Anna, and Clark. He was pre-deceased by his brother Kevin Fleming.
Visitation will be held at the Hannemann Funeral Home, Nyack NY on Wednesday May 19, 2021 from 2pm-4pm and 6pm – 8pm. In addition, there will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service in mid-June with details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers donations are requested to be made to the Rockland Community Foundation www.rocklandgives.org in memory of Dennis Fleming.