Eugene Flaherty

Jerry Flaherty passed away on Februaru 24, 2012, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born on the day before the fools, March 31, 1953, to Eugene J. and Alice (Titus) Flaherty in Wenatchee WA . Jerry attended school in E. Wenatchee, graduating from Eastmont High School in 1971. He also attended Wenatchee Valley College. Jerry spent most of his life living in the Wenatchee Valley, except for the few wild winters he spent in that other valley - Sun Valley, Idaho. There he happily skied, worked, and lived in his van in true ski bum fashion. Jerry worked for the Great Northern and Burlington Northern railroad until an injury forced him to retire in 1990. In retirement, Jerry enjoyed coffee with his buddies, first at Willie's and later at the Wild Card. Jerry met Shelle Finch while they were both working for the railroad and they married on August 17, 1991. They became the proud parents of a son, Ian, nine months and two weeks later. Upon hearing how much Ian weighed, Jerry decided he was a keeper as he weighed the same as his largemouth bass mounted over our fireplace. In 1999, Jerry, Shelle, and Ian began vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and returned every year for two weeks in paradise with our Cabo family. While there, Jerry fished, and then happily gave his catch away to all our Cabo friends and family. Jerry loved to catch fish but refused to eat them. Jerry loved the outdoors. He was an avid skier, fisherman, and hunter. One of his proudest memories was when he fished every day for an entire year. He enjoyed doing yard work and had the best looking lawn on the block. He fed his birds and grew the biggest tomatoes and peppers around, which he freely gave to his friends and family. Jerry was a friend to everyone he met, going out of his way to help people whenever he could. Jerry is survived by his wife Shelle Finch, his one and only son, Ian Flaherty; sisters Becky (Dick) Larsen, Olympia; Pat Petredis, Bellevue; Margie (John) Hallock, Monroe; Toni Tobin (Jim Cline) Sequim; brother -in-laws Tim Tobin, Mercer Island; Mark (Kendra) Finch, Plano, Tx ; Mike Finch, Minneapolis, Mn; Terry (Sandy) Finch, Chesapeake, VA; sister-in- law Nancy (Shawn ) Bevan, Sterling, Va, nieces and nephews Grant, Charlie, Stacey, Mariko, Scott, Delaney, Darcy, Dylan, Gabby, Garrett, Coleman, Kaylee, Katie, stepdaughter Jennifer Taylor, Lake Stevens, step-grandchildren Adam jr, Allison, Savannah, Chase, Grace, and Emma; Shelle's girls, the Camp F n F kids, and his Cabo family. Let me not forgot all the many ,and too numerous to mention, friends Jerry has made over the years. All of you have been a great source of comfort. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Gene and Alice Flaherty and his niece Kristen Larsen. Please join us from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Sunday March 4th at the Eagles Lodge in Wenatchee to celebrate Jerry's life, tell stories and send him off in style with an Irish wake. Donations may be made the outdoor organization of your choice or in Jerry's name at any People's Bank. Arrangements assisted by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA. ________________________________________

Eugene Flaherty

March 31, 1953 - February 24, 2012