Robert E. Flemm

Robert E. Flemm, 94, passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024 in the New Jersey Veterans Home at Paramus, NJ.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, NJ on Sunday, October 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. The funeral will begin in the funeral home on Monday morning at 9:15 a.m. then to St. Cecilia R.C. Church where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m.  Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ. Knights of Columbus, St. Cecilia Council No. 6928 service Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Born in Newark, NJ, Robert lived in Irvington, NJ before moving to Kearny many years ago.

He served in the U.S. Navy for eight years from 1951 until 1959 and was active during the Korean War.  He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and Navy Occupation Service Medal.

Mr. Flemm was a Maintenance Mechanic at Monsanto in Kearny for twenty-five years and then held the same position at I.T.T. in Nutley for ten years before retiring.

Bob was a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Cecilia Council No. 6928 in Kearny and a 4th Degree Knight with Assembly 1543. And was also member of Wilson-Gugelaman Post 1302, V.F.W. in Kearny.

Mr. Flemm is survived by his wife, Margaret (Baillie) Flemm, his children, Denise Flemm, Diane Deveau, Kim Flemm, Michelle Gross (Scott) and Keith Flemm (Diana). He was the grandfather of Warren Gross, Samuel Souza (Raquel), Lindsay Gross, Isabelle Flemm, Robert Flemm, and great-grandfather of Mia, Isla and Jada Souza.

Robert was predeceased by his first wife, Maureen (Kraft) Flemm, his parents Emil and Myrtle Flemm and his two sisters Myrtle Ratti and Carole Flemm.

Our community is a little less kind with the passing of Bob.  A true naval sailor, his priority was always to serve others where he could.  After God and country, he placed all importance and care on his family, extended family, friends, and any stranger in need.  If anyone needed help with a car, snow removal, fixing ANYTHING, Bob was there to get the job done.  Bob was protective of his family to the extent that his house was nicknamed “Fort Knox” with every door and window always locked.  Even in later years, his children were obliged to call him to let him know they arrived home safely; he could then sleep.

Having lost his wife, Maureen in 1974, he was a single father to his four young children for several years.  Afterwards, he converted to Catholicism to fully participate in his children’s Catholic upbringing.  True to his generous nature, Bob embraced his new religion becoming active at St. Cecilia’s by joining the Knights of Columbus, working BINGO, and ushering at Sunday mass.

In 1977, he met his wife, Marge.  Again, putting family first, their first date was attending a Saint Cecilia’s Athletic Awards Banquet; this remains a favorite family story.  Marge, her daughter, Diane, and the Flemms became a family in 1978.  As the family grew, the entire crew enjoyed many summer vacations in Cape May.  Bob loved playing UNO with his grandchildren (and trying to win.)  He was passionate about fishing, whether on a boat or off a jetty, often with his son-in-law and grandsons by his side.  He also relished a good bowl of ice cream, especially when shared with his children and grandchildren.  Bob was a huge NY Giants fan and shared his devotion with his family as season ticket holder.  All who knew him, loved him, and thought the world of him.  Bob was the most loved uncle to all his nieces and nephews.  Never was there a more dedicated, loving, kind man.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the New Jersey Veterans Home at Paramus, One Veterans Drive Paramus, NJ  07652.http://nj.gov/military

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