John P. Flaherty

PORTLAND – John P. Flaherty, 92, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2022, after a good life well lived.

John was born in South Portland on Feb. 23, 1930, the son of the late Martin J. and Catherine A. (Connolly) Flaherty from Ros a Mhil and Spiddal, respectively, County Galway, Ireland. He attended local schools, graduating from Cheverus High School in the class of 1949. He continued his education at Northeastern School of Business (Portland) however, it was interrupted when he enlisted and served in the Air National Guard and answered the call to duty with the United States Air Force during the Korean War, stationed in North Africa. Upon completion of service with an honorable discharge, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business from Portland University (University of Southern Maine).

John met the love of his life, Joann Bowles, at a dance in Portland and they were married at Holy Cross Church in South Portland on April 7, 1956. Together, they raised seven children in the North Deering area of Portland.

Most of John’s working career was with Maine Central Railroad as a Systems Control Analyst, a job he retired from after more than 32 years of service. Post-retirement, he took a job with the Portland School Department and continued to work for another 10-plus years. He greatly enjoyed his interactions with the teachers and staff at the various schools.

John was a life-long Catholic and longtime communicant of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Portland, where he was very active in the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Air Force 102D Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron; a proud member of the Maine Irish Heritage Center in Portland. John was a longtime volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen in Portland.

John enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in various sports, school activities, and scouts. He liked taking his children fishing out to Fort Williams in the summer, the annual fall trip to Mooselookmeguntic Lake, and the many family ice fishing trips. In his spare-time he loved working in his large vegetable garden and tinkering around the house fixing whatever needed attention. He took pride in his many accomplishments. John loved all things Irish and visited Ireland several times connecting and spending time with his extended family and tracing family history. He liked to use his Gaelic words in conversation with anyone who would appreciate it! For more than 30 years he enjoyed vacationing at Higgins Beach around the 4th of July participating in family gatherings, fishing, and beach walks with family and friends. John will be long remembered as independent, kind, loving and genuinely interested in meeting and talking to people and trading stories – a real gentleman. He was extremely proud of his family.

John was predeceased in 2002 by his wife, Joann L. Flaherty; four sisters, Mary Bell, Ann Leonard, Beatrice McLaughlin, Agnes Biette; several in-laws, nephews, nieces; and a special friend, Nancy Gilbert.

He is survived by his seven children and their families, Martin (Dulcie) Flaherty of Gorham, Patrick (Kimberly) Flaherty of Portland, Peter (Heidi) Flaherty of Scarborough, Michael (Diane) Flaherty of New Hampshire, Mark Flaherty of Buxton, Catherine Flaherty Cornell (James) of Cape Elizabeth, and Matthew (Karen) of Portland; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, John and Joseph Flaherty; Michael Flaherty (Breanna), Kelly Newham (Jason), Catherine Flaherty; Sean Flaherty, Jennifer Flaherty (Justin); Patrick Flaherty, Sarah Yandow (Trevor), Caraline Flaherty (Christine); Caitlin and Anna Cornell; Meghan and Ryan Flaherty; Kate and Fiona Newham; in-laws John Leonard, Russel Biette, Rita (Bowles) Porciello, and Richard Bowles; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the residents and staff at the Birchwoods at Canco for welcoming John to their community; and to Alexis Worn, Physical Therapist, who worked closely with John over the past two years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 673 Stevens Ave., Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. To view John’s memorial page, or share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in the memory of John P. Flaherty to: St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, 307 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101