Thomas Fleming 

 Thomas Fleming, an iconic figure in American long distance running passed away on Wednesday evening, April 19, while coaching The Montclair Kimberley Academy’s track and field team at a meet in Verona. He was 65 and born on July 23, 1951 in Long Branch, NJ.

  During a storied professional distance running career Tom Fleming was a two-time winner of the New York City Marathon, three-time champion of the Jersey Shore Marathon. He cherished his two second-place finishes at the Boston Marathon and went on to win Cleveland, Washington D.C., Toronto and Los Angeles marathons. In 2000, he became head coach of Cross Country and Track & Field at The Montclair Kimberley Academy for the last 17 years where he was also an exceptional 4th grade teacher. Coaching, motivating and inspiring kids to love running and sport was his true passion in life.

  Tom was predeceased by his father Joseph C. Fleming who was his biggest fan. Tom was a beloved father to Margot & Connor Fleming. He also leaves behind his mother, Joan Bretz Fleming and sister and brother-in-law, Joanne and Tim Rothwell respectively. He also leaves behind his two nieces, Tiffany Hendry and Heather Rothwell-Termotto.

  A private memorial service will be held on April 30 th , 2017.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one or both of the following non-profit organizations which were near and dear to Tom:

1) The SDHB Pheo-Para Coalition, as his niece suffers from metastatic disease.

Donations can be made online (www.sdhbcoalition.org) or sent to: The SDHB Pheo-Para Coalition (3943 Greystone Drive/Doylestown, PA 18902) a. Mission: To educate healthcare professionals and patients on the SDHB genetic germline mutation as well as its role and impact in this orphan disease, namely Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma. Please explore this site further to find out more about these devastating diseases…

2) New Jersey Special Olympics, donations can be made online (www.sonj.org) a. Mission: To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community

  He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, students, fellow coaches and teachers, and the running community as a whole.