I’ve been emailing to and fro across the Atlantic Ocean for the past week on hearing the news that John Fleming – a man with really strong Scartaglin, Knocknagoshel and Farranfore connections has just been voted in as Vice President of the New York Kerrymen’s Association. My contact was Tom O’Shea – to whom I’m grateful for the good news.
“I met John Fleming through my brother who worked with him in the NYPD. From a recent conversation I found out that John is the grandson of the late Martin Fleming of Barna,” said Mr. O’Shea.
“He has had quite a career. He is a former detective who worked in homicide and robbery squads in the South Bronx and Harlem before being assigned to the elite NYPD Intelligence Division, There he coordinated security operations and confidential investigations for NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Highest Merit Awarded
“He retired as a Detective First-Grade, the highest merit awarded rank in the department. After his retirement, he worked for
the U.S. Department of State, was a candidate for U.S. Congress, and served as Chief of Staff for the Mayor of Yonkers, NY.
“He is currently the managing director of Brosnan Risk Consultants – an international risk management firm based in New York and Miami.
“A big fan of Kerry football, he is married to the former Kate McCarthy and his daughter, Margaret recently graduated from Vanderbilt University,” said Tom O’Shea.
Briefing and Introduction
After that fine briefing and introduction from Tom O’Shea and another email from my side, Mr. Fleming emailed back with a list of relations he has on this side of the ocean.
“Tom O’Shea told me he mentioned my connection to Scartaglin. My grandfather Martin Fleming, was born in Millbrook, Barna in 1904, I believe. He and my grandmother, Margaret (nee O’Mahoney) from Knocknagoshel, from what I was told both died when I was very young.
“My grandfather had two brothers, Denis and Maurice (Mossie). I remember meeting them and my father’s first cousin Denis (married to Eileen, I believe) when we visited them when I was a teenager. I remember also meeting my father’s other cousin Kathleen Callaghan who I believe lived in Farranfore.
“It’s been years and we’ve lost the connection. I wouldn’t even know if anyone related to our side is still there. But I still hold my Kerry roots dear.
“I am coming to Dublin in May to meet with Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan regarding some joint issues. If you post something maybe I can find some long lost relatives. Who knows? ©The Maine Valley Post 2016
