Eugene Fleming, better known as “Gene” or “Chief”, went home to be with the Lord on January 26, 2019. He was born on January 17, 1925 and just had celebrated his 94th birthday with special friends and all of his family. Gene was born in Rochester, NY and was raised on a farm with 5 sisters and one older brother.
As a farmer, Gene was exempt from military service. He has two sisters left, Edith and Ginny. He was handy as a mechanic, he could fix anything.
After high school he went to work as a mechanic in a Ford facility and then went on to become a Fireman in Rochester, NY. He loved cars, boats, airplanes, and anything with an engine. He started racing boats in 1948.
Gene married Jane Armbruster in 1947 and they raised 5 children; Diane, Darlene, Danny, Debbi and Donna. He was a devoted family man and did everything with his family. Camping, boating, and water skiing were his favorite pastimes.
In 1960 Gene moved his family to Sarasota, Florida where he worked as a mechanic at Sarasota Marine and enjoyed racing boats all year round. He had the ability to take any boat, ski or hydroplane and make them into a fast beauty. Along his journey, he had many wins and made some amazing memories as well as lifelong friends; he had a passion for speed.
In 1966 he opened the Chrysler Outboard test base in Fort Pierce where Harbor Branch now stands. Gene was the manager, better known as “chief”. As “chief” he hired many young men, veterans and part time firemen to put those boats to the limits.
He retired at 55 and traveled all over the great USA. Later he opened Briggs and Stratton test center as their manager. After getting it up and running smoothly he retired again for good.
Gene could make anything run smoothly; he was a natural. After his boat racing career, he took to cars again. His last project was a 1927 Ford Speedster that he built from scraps.
He did all the wood work and created a work of art. He showed her from New York to Florida winning first place trophies. Gene loved a project.
Gene and Jane were married for 67 years. Jane died in April of 2015. Gene spent the rest of his years enjoying his children, faithful companion Tom (his stray cat), and showing his speedster.
Gene will be missed by his devoted family: Diane Steele Drawdy (Troy), Darlene Heim (Bill), Danny Fleming, Debbi Beach (Dennis), Donna Young (Randy). His eleven grandchildren, Chris and wife Danielle Steele and their children Hannah, Mallory and Walker, Michael Steele, and Chase Steele all of Fort Pierce, Donny Adkins, Emily Groothuis and husband Kyle and their son Nolan of Ooltewah, TN, Katie and husband Wynston Attwood and their daughter Paisley of Vero Beach, Trevor Heim of Houston, TX, Megan and her husband Trevor Ezell and their son Max of Waxhaw, NC, Aaron Hutchinson of Pompano Beach, Crystal and her husband Michael Taylor of Newfield, NY and Kelsi Young in South Korea. In lieu of flowers donate to Treasure Coast Hospice, St. Anastasia School, or your favorite charity.
He wasn’t big on flowers they didn’t have an engine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church, Port St. Lucie. Inurnment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
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