Edward J. Flaherty, Sr

Edward J. Flaherty, Sr., 89, died Tuesday January 31, 2012 after a brief illness. Edward was born on September 7, 1922, the oldest son of Michael J. and Margaret (Wade) Flaherty. He graduated from Deering High School, Class of 1942. After graduation, he served with the U. S. Army 459th Infantry, Battalion C. He received 4 Service Stars while serving one year in the USA and two years in Europe. He fought in four Battles Campaigns; the Normandy Invasion, Northern France, Central Europe and Rhineland-Battle of the Bulge. After his Honorable discharge from the Army in October 1945, Edward began his sales career working for his father's wholesale company, FP Candy Company in Portland. That is where he met his future wife, Elizabeth C. (Fitzpatrick) Flaherty. They were married on June 14, 1952, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He was a long time communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Portland, Maine. After FP Candy was sold, Ed continued to sell to his many loyal Convenience and Drug store customers throughout the Portland area working for Maine Cash Carry and retiring from Pine State Trading Company in 1986. Ed loved sports and was a talented athlete. He played baseball, football and basketball throughout his school years. He coached his son in Little League 9 (now Portland North) and Babe Ruth. He never missed a baseball, football or basketball game that Ed Jr. played in while at Lyman Moore Junior High School and Deering High School. Weekend trips to Orono were common when Ed Jr. played baseball for UMO. This dedication continued with his grandsons and granddaughters. He was their #1 fan. His eyes would light up whenever any of them would enter a room. Family always came first. As much as he loved the food at Sunday Dinners, he secretly loved the company and conversation more. Mr. Flaherty was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth C. Flaherty in February 2011, his parents and his brother John P. Flaherty. He is survived by his son, Edward J. Flaherty, Jr. and wife Deborah (Amoroso) of Portland; daughters Janet M. Flaherty and Jean M. Flaherty of Portland; and Karen L. MacDowell and husband Stephen J. of Falmouth. Grandchildren are Regina L. (Flaherty) Booth of Falmouth, Ryan E. and Regan J. Flaherty of Portland and Matthew S., Connor J., and Madison E. MacDowell of Falmouth. Visiting hours will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Thursday, February 2, at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 1:15pm on Friday, February 3, followed by a 2:00 pm Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph's Church, 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Ed's name to University of Southern Maine Baseball, c/o University of Southern Maine Baseball Office, 37 College Avenue, Costello Fieldhouse, Gorham, ME 04038.Online condolences may be expressed below.