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Dr. John R. Flaherty, 95

March 11, 2017


NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Dr. John Raymond Flaherty, longtime North Adams optometrist, 95, died on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at North Adams Commons.



He was born in North Adams on August 19, 1921, a son to the former Police Chief John Flaherty and his wife, Mabel. He attended St. Joseph’s Grammar and High School in North Adams graduating with the class of 1939. He attended St. Michael’s College until 1943 when he joined the US Navy Flight School and became a Navy pilot. He was stationed in Brazil doing anti-submarine patrol duty. He was discharged as a Lieutenant in early 1946 and enrolled in the New England College of Optometry. Upon graduation he became associated with Dr. John Shea, then the president of the American Optometric Association. In January, 1950 he opened his own practice in his hometown of North Adams, retiring in 1988.



Dr. Flaherty was a lifelong member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, acolyte and usher. He was a member of the American Legion Post 125, the Massachusetts Society of Optometrists, American Society of Optometrists and the Northern Berkshire Retired Men's Club. He enjoyed bridge, woodworking, gardening and bowled with the N.B. Retired Men's Club.



Dr. Flaherty married his wife, the former Helen Donovan, on June 22, 1946, in Rutland, Vt. She died November 12, 2016.



Survivors include his two sons, John E. Flaherty and his wife Susan of Pennsylvania and Edward Flaherty of North Adams; two grandchildren, Shannon Lurenz and Shaun Flaherty; and a sister, Carol Porier.



He was predeceased by a brother, William Flaherty.



Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Dr. John Raymond Flaherty will take place on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at 9 a.m. in the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in North Adams. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.



Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 17, 2017, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Flynn and Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapel, 74 Marshall Street, North Adams. Memorial donations are suggested for the Harper Center in Williamstown through the funeral home.



 




Recollections & Sympathy For the Family
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My deepest sympathies to the Flaherty family on this second loss is so short a time. May God bless John and Helen. What a beautiful couple they were.
from: Catherine Yamamotoon: 03-16-2017

Sincere sympathy to all the family. John and Helen have been like a "second family" to us through all of the years."Dickie" recalls traveling to stay with them in Boston as a child. He also remembers attending their wedding in Rutland over 70 years ago.Wee both remember many good times at their house, and their kindness us and our family. We will alwys keep those memories.
from: Richard and Judy Flahertyon: 03-15-2017

Our sincerest condolences to the Flaherty family. I have very fond memories of spending time with John and Helen in North Adams when visiting with my grandparents Frank and Florence Flaherty in the 70s-90s. We enjoyed our last visit some years ago along with my parents Richard and Judy, brother Kieran and our wives, at the time John and Helen were volunteering at the Tourist Office. A lovely couple, always in our memories. Fergus Flaherty and Eva Monterrubio (Spain)
from: Fergus Flahertyon: 03-14-2017

What a nice man - handled all my eyeglass needs until he retired. My prayers are with his family.
from: Ruth B Goetschon: 03-14-2017

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