Obituary: Thomas H. Flaherty, 94, WWII Veteran

Thomas H. Flaherty, 94, passed away Sunday, November 29, 2015, peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was the husband of the late Madelyn (Crothers) Flaherty. Born in Pawtucket, he was the son of the late Henry and Mary (Duffy) Flaherty.
Thomas worked for the New England Telephone Company for 37 years as a Central Office Technician. He was a proud member of the IBEW and the Telephone Pioneers.

He was devoted to his faith, his family and his country. He served as a Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Navy, attached to a Marine unit, in the South Pacific for three years during World War II.

Thomas was a long-time parishioner of St. Raymond’s Church in Providence where he served as a member of the Finance Committee, a vice president of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and the St. Raymond’s School Board. He was a Eucharistic Minister and brought Holy Communion to the sick at home and at Miriam Hospital. He was involved in Catholic Charity Fund Appeal. Thomas also volunteered his time for the Services for the Blind and the Little Sisters of the Poor.

He was the father of Robert T. Flaherty and his wife, Mary; Anna M. Flaherty; Mary E. Dulude and her husband Jeffrey; Patricia M. Flaherty; Kathleen M. Russo and her husband, Donato; Thomas P. Flaherty and his wife, Marie Puleo; Maureen F. Flaherty; and Margaret M. Demopulos and her husband, Denis. He was the grandfather of Erin DiBacco; Michael Rizzoli; Kristen and Nicole Pagliarini; Elizabeth Sawyer; Gregory Dulude; Nicole Sullivan, Michael, Elizabeth, Mia, Teresa, and Mary Russo; Grace and
Kevin Flaherty; and Sophia and Christina Demopulos. He leaves 7 great grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Anne and James Flaherty.

His funeral will be held, Thursday December 3, 2015 at 9:45am from the TUCKER-QUINN Funeral Chapel, 643 Putnam Ave. (Rt.44) Greenville, with a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 11am in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Ave., Greenville. Graveside burial will be in Mt. St. Mary Cemetery, Pawtucket. Visitation Wednesday 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 will be appreciated.