Cumberland – John Martin Flaherty, also known as “Flatz”, 69, died on June 26, 2025, at his home in Cumberland Foreside surrounded by his family and friends.
John was born on April 30, 1956, in Portland, Maine to John and Anne Flaherty, where he grew up in his treasured Cape Elizabeth home on Elmwood Road. John shared great memories of his time growing up in Cape Elizabeth. He enjoyed playing basketball, fighting off bats in the house, and going on adventures at Fort Williams. As he grew older, John became an avid golfer, his favorite course was the Portland Country Club, where he and his friends would make jokes and create memories around the putting green.
John graduated from Kent High School and started a lasting career for the United States Post Office. After retirement, John worked part time at the Yarmouth Amvets and later for Chebeague Island Transportation. John lived out the end of his life in his dream job where he got to watch the ocean, read the paper, and make lifelong friends as he assisted in managing the local Chebeague parking lot and boat launch for his dear “islanders.”
With his quick wit and generous heart, John made friends wherever he went. His laugh was loud, boisterous, and infectious. His smile, humor, and empathy for others was magnetic. His passion for life was unmatched. John shined under every light that hit him, but always made sure to share that light with the people around him, especially his loved ones. John will be remembered as a true Irishman, as he was a lover of music, the life of any party, a friend to all, and the king of the traditional “Irish goodbye.”
John is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his daughters, Shannon and Sarah; his siblings, Jane (Jeff), Nancy (Jimmy), Maureen (Ray), Robert (Sherrie); his in-laws, Maureen (Jamie), Chrissy (Dave), Kathleen, Bridget; and several nieces and nephews; many great nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.
An 11am Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 326 Main St., Yarmouth, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, with a reception after at Pat’s Pizza in Yarmouth. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of Portland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074
Services
Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
326 Main Street
Yarmouth, Maine 04096
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2025-07-16 11:00:00
2025-07-16 12:00:00
JohnMartinFlahertyMass of Christian Burial
Mass of Christian Burial
326 Main Street,Yarmouth, Maine 04096
View current weather.
Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in John Martin Flaherty 's name.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Goodby my friend you were one of the best
Mary , my deepest condolences to you and your family …
Stella
I remember playing basketball with John when we were kids 9–12-year-olds back in the mid 1960\’s in my parent\’s driveway that my dad built. We would play for hours and hours. Nighttime did not stop us we had a spotlight. I used to see John at Scarborough Downs now and then trying to hit the Big One and we would have some good chats over a beer or two. I haven\’t seen John in a few years, but I will always have fond memories of our childhood when we played hoops. My condolences to his whole family he was a great guy. RIP John you will be missed by many. Don Orcutt South Portland
Goodbye my friend, it was a good run!! Your friends and posse from the Island, miss you dearly!! RIP Flatz!!
It’s taken a while to sink in Flats…I reached for my cell quickly this past Sunday AM for my weekly “intelligence briefing” and then…….we had more fun and more laughs over the past 40 years … They can’t be replaced.I was hoping for more… You were one of the best…., and I miss you. RIP Flats.
Flats, JM, Johhny Boy,
You were the best; hilarious, engaging, entertaining, kind. No question, the best golf days in my life were on the course weekend mornings for 25 years with you and Gard our permanent threesome, with mystery guests as a fourth. Everyone wanted to play with you. You were the master of the highly competitive, sometimes trash talking, always friendly Nassau match, both as a partner and an opponent. You loved the camaraderie and action. I can still see the eyes rolling in look away fashion when Gard or I missed the three footer.
JM, beyond the humor, you were also the friendliest, kindest man everywhere you went – to everyone. My wife, my grown children and my assistant at the office, when they heard of your passing, all told me of how you nice you were in always taking time to talk with them for many minutes before talking with me. No one loved people more than you. You were taken too soon. We will all miss you.