Obituary of Msgr. Patrick V. Fleming

Monsignor Patrick Vincent Fleming, 87, Delray Beach, Fla., formerly of Altoona, died Monday in Delray Beach. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Andrew Joseph and Mary Ellen (Gibbons) Fleming. Surviving are four sisters: Catherine Muri of Altoona, Winifred Boland of Bridgeville, Ann Brannan of Bethel Park and Margaret Fleming of Delray Beach; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers: John, Monsignor Joseph H., James and Garrett; and two sisters: Sarah Luddy and Mary Swope. Monsignor Fleming graduated from Sacred Heart School, Altoona Catholic High School and St. Vincent College, Latrobe. He received a license in sacred theology from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., where he also received the Basselin Scholarship. He was ordained May 22, 1948, by Bishop Guilfoyle. In 1974, he was promoted by Pope Paul VI to prelate of honor with the title of monsignor. Monsignor Fleming served as assistant pastor at St. Mark, Altoona; St. Thomas, Bedford; SS. Peter and Paul, Philipsburg; and Our Mother of Sorrows, Johnstown. He served as chaplain and faculty member at Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, and as pastor of Our Lady of Victory, State College, from 1961-93. He served the Diocesan Tribunal from 1959-89 with 25 years as judicial vicar. He served as diocesan consultor, dean of the Northern Deanery and member of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference. Monsignor Fleming was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where a vigil for the deceased will be held at 7 p.m. Friends will also be received from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where a funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. by the Most Rev. Joseph V. Adamec, bishop of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Committal will be at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are by The Stevens Mortuary Inc., 1421 Eighth Ave., Altoona The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.