Flemming had a very bad heart attack yesterday morning. He is in the ICU at South Shore Regional Hospital, very weak and not expected to recover.

Dad has for years been very clear to everyone – relatives, friends, doctors, specialists – that he would rather go quickly than linger bedridden for a long time. Given that most of his ailments would not take him quickly, but rather leave him more and more miserable – and needing nursing care – for years, he is quite at peace about the expected outcome of this heart attack.

As he said today, repeating a joke I’ve heard him tell hundreds of times, “What did the monkey say when he got his tail caught in a meat grinder?”

“What?” said his daughter-in-law, who did not know the joke.

“It won’t be long now.”

Family is gathering. He has been preparing for this journey as his health has declined steadily and markedly in the last 3 years. His affairs are in order and he is not afraid.

There are many people he would love to see, but he is too tired to handle very many, so we are not encouraging visitors at this time. You may send your greetings to him or to the family by e-mail (see contact page) or by leaving a comment on this post. We will read him what messages we can, as he is able to listen and as time allows.

Heather Holm