Obituary of Thomas Flaherty

Thomas “Red” Flaherty, a retired inspector for the City of Boston passed away at the Wingate of Reading Nursing Facility in Reading on Saturday morning, March 7, 2009. He was 82 years old. Red was born in Boston, the son of Irish immigrants, the late Peter and Beatrice Flaherty. He grew up and was educated in South Boston. At the age of 17, he enlisted into the US Coast Guard as a Seaman. He served on the USS LST 262, which was a Tank Landing Ship manned by the Coast Guard during WW II and participated in the Normandy Beach Invasion. He was the recipient of the WW II Victory Medal and the European, African and Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars. He was discharged from the Coast Guard at the end of WW II. Red was a proud and skillful man who always worked several jobs to be the best provider for his family. His primary job was that of Inspector for the City of Boston Water Department., where he worked for 32 years. He had previously worked as a rigger for Litchfield Trucking and Rigging. He had aslo worked as a plumber, carpenter, and electrician over the years. He could fix almost anything. He always shared his skills with family and friends whenever they needed a helping hand. Red was a wonderful role model to his children and grandchildren. He showed them the importance of hard work, overcoming adversity, friendship, and family. He was married for 56 years to his wife Mary. He shared his Irish heritage with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed walking around Castle Island which was always made more special when a grandchild was at his side. He was survived by his wife, Mary M. (Blake) Flaherty. He was the loving father of Ann Bolognese & her husband Steve of Stoneham, Barbara Andrews & her husband Bruce of Bridgewater, and Paul Flaherty & his wife Ida of Stoughton. He was the brother of Peggy Ronan of Tyngsboro, the late Mary Mullane, Joseph and William Flaherty. He was the proud grandfather of Christopher, Stephen, & Ashley Bolognese, Jennifer, Jacqueline, Kimberly, & Emily Andrews, and Kelly, Mary, & Thomas Flaherty. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, March 10 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 p.m. Interment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, W. Roxbury.