Fred Fearing, internationally famous as founder of Elizabeth City?s Rose Buddies, died at Albemarle Hospital this morning. He was 93.

Pat Ruth, Fearing?s daughter, said her father died in his sleep. He had been at the hospital for a minor procedure but otherwise was feeling well, she said.

Fearing, a retired mail carrier, gained international acclaim for cofounding a group of greeters in the early 1980s who welcomed visiting boaters to Elizabeth City. The name originated from Fearing?s practice of issuing roses to visiting female boaters.

Thousands of boaters around the world had met Fearing, primarily through the wine and cheese parties he held in their honor during boating season at Elizabeth City?s waterfront. The good will Fearing showed boaters raised the city?s profile and attracted worldwide publicity. It also boosted tourism across the region.

Fearing was known locally for driving a golf cart around town. Fearing used the cart, given him by famed former CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite, to transport party supplies to and from the waterfront. He also used it to make trips to a local cemetery, where he had placed a rose on his late wife, Florence?s, grave every Sunday for 23 years.

Funeral arrangements for Fearing are pending with Twiford Funeral Home.