Richard L. Flaherty

Richard L. Flaherty, 85, of 9 North Street, died Thursday, November 29, at home.

He was born in White Plains, NY, August 17, 1933, the son of Michael and Beatrice (Ebilhart) Flaherty.

Dick was a veteran of the Korean War.  After his discharge from the Army and attending school at the Mechanics Institute in New York City, he decided to follow his passion for skiing.  In 1962 he took a winter off from work in White Plains and received his Canadian certification to teach downhill skiing.  He ended up spending the winter in Charlemont and was a ski instructor at the newly opened Thunder Mountain Ski Area (now Berkshire East).

He met his wife the former Maureen (Mo) Esip and they married in 1963.  They would spend the next 55 years in Charlemont where they raised two sons while enjoying all the advantages of living in a rural area.

Prior to retirement he was employed by Yankee Atomic in Rowe.

Dick spent many years field trialing with his English Setter bird dogs in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, fly fishing in the Deerfield River, bird hunting and cycling.

He had a wit that drew people to him, but deep down he was a private man and spent quiet time building model planes.

He was a member of the VFW Post 8505 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles both in Shelburne Falls.

Survivors besides his wife include his sons Jonathan (Julia Fiske) Flaherty of Martha’s Vineyard, Timothy (Beth Martin) Flaherty of Charlemont;

and four grandchildren Maeve and Liam Fiske and Patrick and Anna Flaherty.

His grandchildren and sons brought him great joy and through the years he took pride and pleasure as they built their lives around all of his favorite activities he introduced to them in their youth.

Calling hours will be Friday, Dec. 7, from 2-4 pm at Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home in Shelburne Falls.  Following the calling hours there will be a gathering for family and friends at 4:30 at Berkshire East in Charlemont.

There are no other services.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway St., Greenfield, MA  01301.

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