CHICOPEE – John F. “Jack” Flaherty, 70, of the Aldenville section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving wife, Lynne. He was born in Holyoke on June 18, 1946, the beloved son of the late Morgan J. and Irene C. (Haggerty) Flaherty. He was raised in Holyoke, graduated from Holyoke High School and lived in Holyoke for many years before moving to the Aldenville section of Chicopee in 1984. He served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, attained the rank of Seaman Recruit and received the National Defense Service Medal. He was employed for 35 years with the Holyoke Gas and Electric Company and retired in 2003. Previously, he was employed at the former Worthington Pump and the National Blank Book Company. He was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee. He was a member of the Galaxy Community Council at Westover Air Reserve Base. During his leisure time, Jack enjoyed building hundreds of model airplanes and automobiles. He loved the ocean and enjoyed his many trips to West Yarmouth with his beloved wife, Lynne. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and his many dear friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Lynne A. (Chagnon) Flaherty. They were married on September 15, 1984 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 32 years of happiness together. He also leaves his loving son, Shawn Flaherty of Holyoke; his cherished grandson, David A. Flaherty and his mother, Laura Kele, of Chicopee; his dear uncle, Fred Flaherty and his wife, Dot, of Easthampton; his dear aunt, Doris R. Arpin of Chicopee; his two dear cousins, Marion Tierney of Holyoke and Ken Binder and his wife, Jan, of Danville, KY; and his many dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his loving son, David A. Flaherty who was Called Home on July 1, 2001; and his dear sister-in-law, Laurie DelPeschio who was Called Home on July 5, 2008. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, May 18, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with United States Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
