John Flaherty

John Joseph Flaherty passed from this life on to his eternal home on December 25, 2016 in Plano, Texas with his family by his bedside. He was born on January 22, 1934 in Woburn, Massachusetts to his parents, Thomas and Mary Lydon Flaherty. John was the youngest of three children raised in a first generation Irish-American family in the Woburn, MA area.

Family and friends recall John’s passion for hockey which began as a child skating on frozen ponds and led to coaching his sons’ hockey teams, his participation in various over 30 leagues and actually building an ice rink in his backyard every winter for his children and friends to enjoy. John was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, a New England Patriots enthusiast and a Syracuse Orange College basketball follower. In his business travels and in life, he learned to love the game of golf.

John attended Boston College High School, graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Marketing. He used his education in the Electronics Industry for over 40 years; 30 of those years employed with Cornell-Dubilier Electronics (CDE), New Bedford, MA as a Territory Manager and later as a Distribution Sales Manager. John and his wife, Rita, were invited and attended many of CDE’s Christmas parties long after he officially retired from the company.

John loved his country and served in the U.S. Navy as an Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer from 1956 to 1958. He also loved his faith, a devote Roman Catholic, John was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Frisco, TX where he served as a lector, usher and volunteered in various capacities with the Church as well as with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Even though he loved to travel, when asked, John would say his favorite place to be was anywhere his family and friends were. He enjoyed all kinds of music from Jazz, Country, Blues, Folk and Rock and Roll. He was a big fan of Eric Clapton, Dave Brubeck , Frank Sinatra and Willie Nelson.

John was married to the love of his life, Rita Ellen (Tourigney) Flaherty for over 55 years. They were married at St. Raphael’s Church in West Medford, MA on a beautiful September day in 1959. There are six Flaherty children and 11 grandchildren from that wonderful union.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mary (Lydon) Flaherty, a brother, Thomas Flaherty, a sister, Mary (Flaherty) Cadigan and his bride, Rita, who left his side in March of 2015 and is celebrating in his return to her. His legacy will continue on through his children: Ellen Flaherty-Rice of Frisco, TX; his son, Jay Flaherty and his wife, Suzanne Grier of Austin, TX; his son, Mark Flaherty of Wesley Chapel, FL; his daughter Jean Cusick of Frisco, TX; his son, Edward Flaherty of Ft. Myers, FL; and his daughter, Rita Hanrahan and her husband, Shawn of Maricopa, AZ. John’s memory will be carried on with his grandchildren: Kelby Flaherty, Calvin Cusick, Selena Flaherty, Connor Cusick, Kaitlin Cusick, Ailish Hanrahan, Ireland Hanrahan, Fiona Hanrahan, Gwendolyn Flaherty, Claire Flaherty, and Skye Flaherty. Always in their hearts, his love of life will be remembered by his brother-in-laws; Ernest Tourigney of Frisco, TX and Donald Tourigney of Palm Desert, CA.

John was loved while he was with us here on earth, and will be continued to be loved through time and all eternity.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in John's behalf to aid the poor and needy. Thank you