Paul B. O'Flaherty

Son. Brother. Student. Soldier. Lawyer. Husband (Two Time Winner!). Father. Grandfather. Friend. Everyone who knew Paul O'Flaherty in any of his roles was blessed to have been his companion on the road of life.        He was the son of Benedict and Margaret O'Flaherty. Raised in southwest side of Chicago, he had two older sisters, Mary Margaret, and Irene. The values of love, faith, and family Paul learned there resonated throughout his life, in the creation of his own family, and an extended family in which a large network of nieces and nephews continue to value "Bee" and "Nonny's" legacy -- and one another.      Growing up, Paul enjoyed playing baseball and tennis, and roaming the open "prairies" which then constituted much of the Southwest Side, often in the company of cousins and best friends Bob and Carl Sterk.       Paul enjoyed learning and was a good student from the outset. He always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Good with details, Paul was painstaking and accurate in his efforts. All of these talents culminated in a successful high school career. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1942. In addition to graduating first in his class, he was on the Debate Team, and was the Editor of the school newspaper and yearbook.      Paul's undergraduate studies at Loyola University in Chicago were put aside during military service during the Second World War, when he volunteered for the Army (1943-1946). He initially trained with the Army Air Corps, then attended Officer Candidate School, and was ultimately an Officer in the Signal Corps. Paul served during World War II. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant.After discharge from the Army, Paul entered law school, earning his Juris Doctor from Loyola University in Chicago in 1948. His favorite courses were Legal History and Moot Court., In the latter, his team mate was the renowned trial lawyer Phillip Corboy. His favorite professor was Dean John Waldrov, with whom he later practiced law.      At every stage of his life, Paul made and kept lasting friendships. He remained close to Bob and Carl Sterk, many high school classmates, service budddies, law school classmates, professional associates, and others. With his first wife Kay, he particularly enjoyed the "Supper Club." with Bob and Pat Lambert, Ed and Mary Kay Kelly, and Bill and Donna Campbell.      Mercy High School in Chicago proved to be a treasure trove of love and romance for Paul. He married his first wife, the late Catherine M. ("Kay") Bigley, on February 13, 1954, with whom he enjoyed 51 years of marries life. After Kay's death, he fell hard for another Mercy alumna, and remarried Mary Eileen Reid Swanson, on January 6, 2007, at the Sacred Heart Chapel, Villa St. Benedict.      Fatherhood and later grandfatherhood were perhaps the roles in which Paul found the most enjoyment and satisfaction. . Paul was blessed with five children, Paul Jr., Michael, Kathleen, Ann, and Neil. They were also blessed with seven grandchildren, Brendan, Conor, Sean, Reilly, Ciaran, Aiden, and Ava. Happily, his union with MaryEileen then brought him five more: Jessica, Justin, Savanna, Annika and Cambria. He doted on each of them.      Paul enjoyed a successful career as an attorney. Beginning in general practice in small partnerships, he came to specialize in the field of estate planning, and spent the bulk of his career with the prestigious law firm of Schiff, Hardin and Waite for over thirty years.      His Catholic faith was important to Paul. He made a point of keeping close to the liturgy throughout his life, as an altar server as a boy to a reader and lector for many years as an adult. Paul did not check his religious values at the church door, but lived them actively throughout his life. His compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in his personal beliefs. He was an active member of both the Most Holy Redeemed Parish, from 1958 to 2005, and Villa St. Benedict, from 2005 to 2009.      In his leisure time, Paul enjoyed reading, mostly in history and biography. He could easily have led a seminar on the American Civil War without notes. Family time was always a priority, and his weekend getaway home "Kil Catherine" near Galena was a favorite setting. Television sports, particularly football, were another favorite pastime. (Cue medley of "Notre Dame Fight Song" and "Bear Down Chicago Bears" as background music.) Favorite vacations included his trips to Ireland, notably including Mike and Cecily's wedding there in 2003. A stroke and other medical problems slowed Paul in his last years. But what outwardly appeared to be physical weakness was in fact his finest hour. The best qualities of his character -- courage, persistence, grace, equanimity, sweeteness, wit, and generosity -- all shone to great advantage through his difficulties to the very end.       Paul passed away on January 8, 2010 at Manor Care Rehab Center, located in Westmont, Illinois. A series of medical problems culminated with Pneumonia. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Eileen, his adoring children, Paul Jr., Michael, Kathleen, Ann, Neil, his stepchildren, Donna, and Peter, and also a proud grandfather of twelve. Dear brother to Mary Margaret and Irene, uncle to many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held Monday, January 11, 2010, from 3 -8 p.m. at the Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, located at 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle, Illinois. The following day,Tuesday, Prayers will be offered at 10:30 a. m., at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, then onto Saint Joan Of Arc Catholic Church, located at 820 Division St., Lisle, Illinois, for a 11:15 a.m. Funeral Mass. In Memory of Paul B. O'Flaherty Sr., Memorials may be made to Mount Carmel High School at 6410 S. Dante Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60637. Paul will lay to rest in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, located at 6001 W.111th St., Alsip, Illinois.