Alphonse Fleck

Alphonse R. Fleck, 96, beloved husband and father, died peacefully at his home in Spartanburg, SC, on Monday, August 8, 2011. Born October 14, 1914 in Dickinson, ND, Alphonse was the son of Clemens and Elizabeth Schnell Fleck. He was the eighth of a family of twelve siblings, all now deceased. An accomplished artist, cabinetmaker, and furniture designer, Al studied architecture at St. John's University in Minnesota, and drafting in Los Angeles, California. From there he went to New York City, and worked as an architectural draftsman and furniture designer. He served honorably in World War II as a First Sergeant of the 3252nd Ordinance Base Depot Company, and participated in the D-Day landing at Normandy. He met his first wife Grace while he was stationed at Camp Croft, and after the war, they eventually made their home in Spartanburg. He founded his own business, Woodcraft, which he operated for thirty-three years, designing and building fine custom furniture and cabinets for families, churches, universities, and distinguished business clients. A long-time member of the American Business Club, he held several offices over the years, including President of the Spartanburg Chapter. A devout Roman Catholic, Alphonse worshipped at St. Paul the Apostle Church and later at the Catholic Church of Jesus Our Risen Savior. He was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Father Maurice Daly Chapter of the Knights of Columbus and served as a Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. Known for his beautiful watercolor and oil paintings, Al was a founding member as well as the first president of the Artist's Guild of Spartanburg. After the death of his wife Grace in 1989, Al married Margaret Bernadette Danfy, the widow of Richard Danfy. They shared twenty-one happy years together. Al is survived by his wife Margaret Bernadette of Spartanburg; his daughter, Lisa Francis, her husband Melton and their daughters, Erica Francis and Emily Fedro and her husband Greg, all of Wichita, Kansas; his daughter, Charlotte Arbona, her husband Stevan, and their son Aidan, of Brooklyn, NY; step-son, Richard Danfy, his wife Jean and their daughter Christine Overcarsh, her husband Brian and their children Charles and Emmett, all of Spartanburg; step-daughter, Patricia Epting, her husband Carrol and their sons John Paul and Philip, of Winston-Salem, NC; step-son, Kenneth Danfy, of Spartanburg; stepson, Peter Danfy, his wife Annette and their daughters Erin Danfy, Kayla Tyre and Allison Tyre and her daughter Nevaeh, of Greenville; stepsons, Andrew Danfy and Arthur Danfy, both of Spartanburg. A rosary in his honor will be recited at 6:00 PM Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Visitation will follow, in the Chapel, until 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted by the Rev. Frank Palmieri, followed by a reception with lunch, on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Catholic Church of Jesus Our Risen Savior, 2575 Reidville Road, Spartanburg. Interment to follow at 1:30 PM in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be sent to the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home, 686 Jeff Davis Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303; or the Catholic Church of Jesus Our Risen Savior Building Fund, 2575 Reidville Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Alphonse R. Fleck please visit our Sympathy Store.