Kevin Donald Fleming, 60, died February 15, 2019, at the Ottawa General Hospital following a brief, but catastrophic, illness.

Kevin was born in Kingston, Ontario, on June 15, 1958, and retained a close affinity to the area throughout his life. He attended St. Lawrence College in Kingston, graduating as a mechanical technologist, followed by employment with Phillips Cables in Brockville, Ontario. In January 1975, Kevin joined the Brockville Rifles, an Army Reserve regiment, and remained a member of the Canadian Armed Forces until September 1993, working on a part-time and full-time basis and retiring with the rank of captain. He subsequently joined the Public Service, continuing his career with the Department of National Defence in Ottawa. During his time in uniform and as a Defence employee, he worked as an infantry officer, staff officer, intelligence analyst, administrator, and business analyst.

In addition to his diverse employment, Kevin was a tinkerer and a jack of all trades who enjoyed unravelling knotty problems and getting his hands dirty. He repaired and overhauled antique outboard motors and, over the past few years, returned to his earlier love of motorcycle riding and maintenance, rebuilding and repairing several motorcycles—although the overhaul of his beloved red Ducati remained unfinished at the time of his death. He loved reading, kayaking, working on the family home in Vars, Ontario, and the family cottage in Lyndhurst, Ontario, and being of service to others. He was a practical and organized thinker, planner and doer with a dry sense of humour who was the foundation upon which our family was built. We will miss his love, support, sound advice, practical knowledge and so much more.

Kevin is survived by his wife of 30 years, Joanna Calder, and sons James and Matthew, Vars, Ontario; his brother Greg (Pat), Rideau Ferry, Ontario; sister Laurie (Dan Willoughby), Maitland, Ontario; nieces Mandy and Katelyn Fleming and nephew John Fleming, as well as several aunts and uncles and many cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Donald and Joyce (Grant) Fleming.

Friends and family are invited to pay respects at the Hall of Colours of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue in Ottawa on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, from 4-7 p.m. A funeral service will be held in the Sacred Space at Beechwood at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 21, followed by a reception. Interment will follow at a later date.

Donations may be made to Minpinerie Rescue (www.minpinerie.ca), which rescues miniature pinschers and other small dogs in need, or a charity of your choice.