Obituary of William John Flaherty

William John Flaherty, a Korean War Veteran, retired contractor and an active member in the community passed away after a short illness on Tuesday May 14, 2024.  He was 92 years old.  Bill was the only child born to Anita and William Leo Flaherty.  He grew up and was educated in the Boston School System.  He was a member of the 1949 graduating class at Boston English High.   His first job after high school was as a receiving clerk at Braman Dow Plumbing Supply.  It was there that he met his future wife, Patricia Skelton.   He enlisted in the Marines at the age of 20.  He earned the rank of Sergeant and served as an Aviation Radar Technician during the Korean War.  He was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the M-1 Rifle Marksman badge.  On February 28, 1953, while he was on leave,  he and Pat were married at the original St. Margaret’s Church in Burlington, on the corner of Center Street and Winn Street.  Pat was able to join Bill on duty assignment at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC.  Bill was proud to serve his country and even prouder to be a U.S. Marine.  After his military service Bill supported the military as a member of the Marine Corp League in Burlington.  He was present at local ceremonies, parades, and memorials supporting and honoring those who served our country.

Following his military service, Bill took advantage of the GI Bill, earning an Associate degree from Lowell Tech and a Bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University.   He worked at Raytheon Corp as a Technical Writer and later at Honeywell Information Systems as Manager of Technical Support Operations.  After leaving Honeywell he started his own construction business, Mr. Bill’s Carpentry.  For more than 15 years he did home remodeling projects. He loved working with his hands, the freedom of owning a business, working with customers, and the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of his hard work.

Bill was an accomplished musician and played the banjo with several traditional Jazz Bands, including the 9:29ers, North Shore Ramblers, Squirrel Hill Band and the New Orleans Jazz Band. He also played the Fife in the Mass Bay Colonials and the Woburn Minutemen.   He played in parades, summer concerts, restaurants, retirement communities and weddings.  He was a 68-year member of the Woburn Sportsmen Association where he participated in pistol, rifle, and archery and was a life member of the National Rifle Association.  Bill was also an equestrian. He and his thoroughbred “Dillon” won many trophies and ribbons in both Hunt Seat and Dressage.  Bill was a communicant of St. Malachy’s Church, Burlington MA

Bill embraced life, followed his passions, and will be fondly remembered by all.

Bill was the beloved husband of the late Patricia A. (Skelton) Flaherty. He was the loving father of William A. Flaherty & his wife Paula of Tyngsborough, Michael Flaherty & his wife Valerie of Woburn, and Eileen Flaherty & her husband Patrick Carr of North Andover.  He was the proud grandfather of Erin Barfield & her husband Sean, William P. Flaherty & his wife Catherine, Ryan Flaherty & his wife Sarah, Lauren Knowles & her husband Sean, and Taryn Stanford & her husband Chris.  He was the great grandfather of Walter, Eleanor, William D. (Liam), Caleb, Avery, Kelley, Palmer, and Tate.  He is also survived by his longtime companion Fran Durkin of Bedford and her family; Julianne, John, Samuel and Anna Ohotnicky; Michael, Wendy, Jack and Kyle Durkin and Harold and Ashley Durkin.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Monday May 20 from 4-7pm. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 21 at 9am. and will conclude with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy Church, in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10am. 

Memorials in Bill’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.