WAYNE FLEMING

Condolences & Memories (16 entries)

• I met Wayne, Jake, Pete Stemkowski (1967 Leafs Stanley Cup Winner) at CPHS around 1973. We were poor farmers up until that year we started to have extra money from the many years my parents had worked so hard on the farm. The most exciting thing I wanted to do was go to CPHS! It was like a dream come true back then, and there's hardly a day that I don't think or talk abou the work they expected, as my parents did at the farm. The tips and tricks that they taught me, the personal strategy, face-off winning through mental and physical training kept me a specialist all my life. My dad, Carl, and mom, Mary, coincidentally Jake's wife's name, became close friends with the Flemings for years until my parents passed away. Like probably everyone else who was close to the family, it wasn't just hockey, but hockey is life, and they intertwine always, so I, in turn, always was proud of Wayne wherever his coaching took him. Thanks for everything guys. RIP Wayne. Always remember the good ones! Sincerely, Einar Johanson, Arborg, Manitoba - Posted by: Einar Johanson (Former player / friend ) on: Apr 28, 2023

• Wayne was a very good boy right from birth. When he was about 5 years old, we were at the lake in Sask. He had a friend, that was about 2 years older. They were by the lake and I told him not to go in the water. When I came looking for him, the two of them were in the boat close to shore. I lost my cool, and I gave him a little spanking. 2 days later he told me, You told me not to go in the water, you did not say do not go in a boat. When Wayne was about 5 years old, we were in this Cafe and he had French fries, he was eating them with his fingers. I told him very quietly don't eat with your fingers. He leans over to me and said you may be the boss of me, but I am the boss of my fingers. He never forgot to tell me when he thought I was wrong. He will be missed by myself, and family, and all who had the good fortune to know WAYNE. I MISS YOU NOW AND I WILL FOR AS LONG AS LIVE. YOUR PARENTS JAKE & MARY - Posted by: Jake Fleming (Father) on: Apr 17, 2013

• Carolyn, so sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you and yours. - Posted by: Diane young (Friend) on: Apr 12, 2013

• I too remember those high school days in Fort Garry. I remember two fifteen year old boys playing guitar and drums in the basement of a house on Dowker Avenue. While Wayne went on to be a much better hockey player than drummer and I, a much better guitarist than hockey player I followed his career with interest through the media. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Bill Porter (High School Friend) on: Apr 08, 2013

• We love you Wayne and will miss you. Carolyn and family, you have always been the central pivot in Wayne's wonderful life and career. He was a kind and gracious man and we will miss him. - Posted by: Joyce & Max Maksymetz (Friends) on: Apr 03, 2013

• It has been an honor to be a part of the journey of Wayne's life. The Fleming family has been such an integral part of the Sigurdson family for the past five decades. I remember first meeting Wayne through his dad Jake when Jake and my dad started the Canadian professional hockey schools. Wayne always had the competitive spirit and yet a twinkle in his eye, he was quiet leader that lead by example. I remember saying to Wayne in the mid 70s that one day you will coach in the NHL. His dream came true. It has been wonderful to share in the journey of Wayne's life. He will be sincerely missed. - Posted by: George & Pam Sigurdson (Friends) on: Apr 01, 2013

• So sorry to hear about Wayne. Our hearts go to Jake, Mary, Carolyn, Jennifer and your children and grandchildren. We haven't seen Wayne in years but always enjoyed reading where he was coaching and all the traveling he and Carolyn did. Breaks our hearts he was taken so soon. R.I.P. - Posted by: Dennis,Marianne,Wayne,David, and Adam Fleming (cousin) on: Mar 31, 2013

• God took Wayne away from us far too early. Even though I have not seen him in years he will be missed by his family and everyone. - Posted by: Brenda Arnott (Cousin) on: Mar 30, 2013

• I was 9 years old when he instructed me at C.P.H.S.. I still remember one particular trick he showed me. For only 12 days under his supervision I have always remembered him, and have enjoyed watching his career from a distance. Thanks for being such an inspiration. - Posted by: Eric Krievans (Student at CPHS) on: Mar 30, 2013

• We were very fortunate to have shared part of Wayne's life in Fort Garry. It was a great pleasure to share even a short time with Wayne and his family. Wayne had such passion, humour, dedication and warmth. He will be greatly missed and always cherished in memory. Court, Betty, Corrie & Michael Brooker - Posted by: Court Brooker (Friend) on: Mar 30, 2013

• Through hockey and our both being Wpgers Wayne and I got to spend a fair amount of time over the years talking hockey.These conversations almost invariably spilled over into discussions about players as people often including talk about family and life in general.Always interesting and often thought provoking.He was a credit to everything he touched-a person with tremendous emotional strength. - Posted by: Don Baizley (friend) on: Mar 30, 2013

• I had the privilege of playing Bison Hockey with Wayne - a solid guy even back then - but what a successful hockey career would unfold! I enjoyed the opportunity to meet Carolyn too, so my sincere condolences to Carolyn and family. - Posted by: Dan Topolniski (Bison Hockey) on: Mar 29, 2013

• I have good memories of Wayne of our hockey playing days in Fort Garry . Lots of Friday nights Ray,Lee,Tom,Wayne and I would also play ball hockey over at the outdoor Fort Garry rink. I remember his Dad Jake taking us places and how his wonderful happy Mom, Mary was always there for us. I'm sorry Jenn that you've lost your Brother.I don't think you knew of the times that the 5 of us drank frozen beer in your backyard before running over to the Vincent Massey school dances. Thanks for the memories Wayne. - Posted by: Bud Sigurdson (High School friend) on: Mar 29, 2013

• Carolyn& Family, Mary&Jake&Jennifer. So sorry to hear of Wayne's passing! Knowing Wayne made us all better people... Our prayers are with you. - Posted by: Carol/Clay(Kemper) Kemp (Bison teammate/friend) on: Mar 28, 2013

• Wayne was one of Ray's best friends in High School. And I was, and still am, Jennifer's friend. Ray and I remember being young and wild together with our friend Wayne, and with John Thompson and Colin Reid. We went to a barn dance together out of town (no one worried then about drinking and driving). We watched (illegal) drag races on the parimeter highway late at night. Our world then was Fort Garry. We went to the Winnipeg Arena (the big time) to watch Wayne play defense on the Monarch's Hockey Team. Newspaper accounts quote people saying how good he was as a coach and what a wonderful family man. These things were central to the life that Wayne Fleming made. He came from Fort Garry and we were part of his first circle of friends. We may not have attended reunions however we did share a time that helped make us the people we are (one realizes, looking back that all of the fun was as vital to the spirit as any work). We were rarely in touch after University. and we have never met Carolyn, all the same we are grieving for her and their large and closely knit family which of course includes the family we do know: Wayne's wonderful mother, Mary, his devoted sister, Jennifer and his Dad, Jake. And yes he did fight valiantly as any Prince. And Well Done Carolyn you were with him, I'm told, every step! - Posted by: (Laura) Jane McLauchlan & Ray Rogers (friends from Vincent Massey High School and UofM) on: Mar 28, 2013

• I had the honour and pleasure of knowing Wayne and working with him at Hockey Canada. Wayne was my boss at Hockey Canada for a year. I last visited with Wayne a couple of years ago down here in Phoenix when he was an Ass'T Caoch with Pat Quinn and the Oilers. Your suffering is over my friend and May you rest in peace. Also may God Bless your family. Trapper - Posted by: Barry Trapp (Friend and former Co-worker) on: Mar 28, 2013