A FORMER head teacher who worked at many Barnsley schools has died, aged 72.
Victor Bage Fleming, who held the post of head teacher at Silkstone Primary school for 23 years, died on November 1 at Barnsley Hospice.
Mr Fleming, of Weetshaw Lane in Cudworth, leaves behind a wife Margaret, two children Peter and Katherine, and five grandchildren.
He was born in Southampton but spent his childhood in Jarrow in the north east. It was at teaching college where he met wife Margaret in 1970 the couple moved to Barnsley, which is where Margaret was brought up as a child.
She said: “He got a job at Pontefract Road school and from there went to Royston Meadstead as deputy head teacher and then to Silkstone Primary, where he was for 23 very happy years.
“He also worked for the Samaritans as a volunteer. Vic was always one of those who wanted to help people and I suppose that’s why he became a teacher and a head teacher.”
Mr Fleming retired from education in 2005 and went on to work as a volunteer for Barnsley Citizens Advice Bureau.
The couple embraced their new-found free time, spending it with their grandchildren and enjoying three world cruises and many other holidays.
“He did throw himself into a good retirement,” said Margaret.
“Like most teachers he was very good with the grandchildren. He was very passionate.
“The most important think about Vic were his passions - his family and travelling - and the fact he was always willing to help people, be it school children the Samaritans or at the Citizens Advice Bureau. He was always looking for ways to help people.”
The funeral will be held on Friday, November 17 at 1.30pm at Ardsley Crematorium. A funeral tea is expected to be held afterward at The Bells Steakhouse restaurant in Silkstone.
