Obituaries

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Clarence “Clary” Joseph Flemming, of Halifax, on Wednesday September 30, 2026, in his 88th year.

Clary left us gracefully, surrounded by his loving family.

Clary was, at his core, a storyteller. His own story began in Halifax, born to the late Clarence and Sue (Beach) Flemming in 1938. The family, Clary was predeceased by his brothers Bruce and Phil, and his sister Joan, settled in Westmount where Clary would learn to skate on outdoor rinks and stock shelves at Flemming’s Grocery.

It wasn’t long before Halifax would see and hear his name. A standout hockey talent at St. Pat’s High School, Clary caught headlines long before he wrote them. His passion for sport and his smarts on the ice would bring him to Saint Mary’s University. His devotion to the rink pushed him to travel abroad - blazing a now well-worn trail of Nova Scotians finding professional hockey glory across the pond.

In 1962, at age 24, Clary faced off against a new challenge: Program Director and on-air personality at Dartmouth’s CFDR Radio. His voice found its true love, the microphone, and the two would live happily ever after.

At home, Clary needed no voice. Eleanor simply took his breath away.

They drove, and sang, life together. Their son Craig embodies the couple's love, wits, voice and good nature.

From his on-air time at CFDR to CJCH and eventually to television at ATV as the network's first Sportscaster, Clary brought his focus, passion, innovative mind and genuine curiosity to work each day. He would go on to interview legends like Gordie Howe, Guy Lafleur and Jack Nicklaus to name a few.

However, it was Clary’s pre- and post-match interviews of Atlantic Canada’s wrestling greats during ATV’s International Wrestling on Saturday nights that made Meeeeester Flemming a household name. It touched his heart every time he would hear the words “I used to watch you with my father.”

That was Clary. He brought people together.

As the trotters or the pacers came together on the back stretch at Sackville Downs it was Clary’s voice for over a decade calling each race, telling the stories of each Standardbred and the man following behind in each sulky. And they're off….

Soon Clary was off again, helping Sobeys solidify its regional reputation as a grocery institution.

He brought together an eclectic mix of talent over 30+ years in a unique business model that drove results… efficiently. In fact, to save his client, he was the first advertiser in Canada to send radio spots to stations over “the internet” instead of mailing physical tapes each week.

The Sobeys “Touch” and the iconic “Star of Christmas” commercial came from Clary and his talented Associates.

His last gig? Giving back by handling voiceover work for last year's Grocery Gala - a Sobeys-led fundraiser that’s generated millions for the IWK, George DuMont and the Janeway Children’s Hospitals.

Clary always found a way to give back.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Eleanor (Robichaud) Flemming, his aforementioned parents, two brothers and one sister, his brother-in-law, Brian Redmond; his sister-in-law, Ethel Flemming; and his nephew, Father Danny Redmond.

Clary will be deeply missed by his son, Craig, daughter-in-law, Jennifer, and by Christopher, Kayleigh, and Johnathan, to whom he was affectionately known as “Puppy.”

He will also be lovingly remembered by his niece, Karen (Craig) Redmond, and nephews Mark(Jennifer) Redmond, Jeff (Hayley) Flemming, and Darren (Jackie) Flemming, along with his extended family and the many friends and colleagues he impacted over the years.

Clary’s greatest joy was his family. Those who knew him will remember the love he had for the people closest to him, the friendships he made throughout his life, and the memories he leaves behind.

His presence will be deeply missed, but he will remain forever in the hearts of those who loved him.

Funeral Mass to be celebrated Friday, October 9 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church – 9 Jamieson Dr., Fall River, NS

Following the funeral service a Celebration of Life will be held at Steele Wheels Motor Museum - 66 Otter Lake Ct., Bayer’s Lake.

Interment will be at a later date.

Those wishing to honor Clary may consider making a donation in his name to QE2 Foundation using the link provided.

https://my.qe2foundation.ca/fundraisers/claryflemming