Richard Flaherty, 79, of Salem, Massachusetts, formerly of Woburn, passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023. He was born at Boston City Hospital and was the son of the late George and Loretto (Cowhig) Flaherty.

He was the cherished husband of Judith Cronin-Flaherty and the late Dorothy (Connolly) Flaherty, who predeceased him in 2002.

Raised in South Boston and Dorchester he was the sixth of nine children and the last surviving Flaherty sibling. He spent his childhood playing baseball and was a lifelong Boston Red sox fan.

He proudly served his country in the US Air Force and was honorably discharged. When he returned, he married Dorothy (Connolly) Flaherty who he met at the first church dance they both attended. They moved to Woburn where they raised their three daughters. Richard was an adoring father who put all his energies into the girls' activities from coaching their softball teams to chauffeuring to dance and music lessons, volunteering at their schools and everything in between. He was a hands-on dad and was adored by his daughters. He and Dorothy were devoted to each other for 33 years and he was a wonderful care giver throughout her battle with cancer. A few years after Dorothy passed, he had the fortune of meeting Judi Cronin. They were married in 2004 and she quickly became a cherished member of the Flaherty clan. Judi gave Rich the travel bug and together they visited Greece, Ireland, England and France. They also enjoyed wonderful trips to Kennebunkport Maine together and with the family. Rich had health struggles for the last several years and Judi's loving care of him helped prolong his time with us.

His greatest joy was his grandchildren. He always said grandchildren were God's gift for making it through parenthood. They brought him more joy that he could have ever imagined and gave him his cherished grandparent name of Baseball Honey. Each one will tell you that they were his favorite grandchild because that's how he made them feel. He shared in all their accomplishments and helped to sooth all the sorrows.

Rich was a huge proponent of higher education, and he was so proud to see his three girls graduate with their college degrees. He had put his own dreams of a degree on hold for years but in 2002 he went back to school with the assistance of the GI Bill and completed his Bachelor of Science in Business from UMASS Boston in 2006 at the age of 60. It was such a privilege for the family to be present that day to see his hard work come to fruition. After graduation he spent a year with the department of defense and the next several years working as a retirement plan auditor for the IRS until he retired.

In addition to his wife Judi, he is survived by his three daughters, Amy Jones and her husband Kevin of Victorville, CA, Kate Walsh and her husband Dennis of Woburn, MA and Beth Flaherty of Woburn, MA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Nathaniel Jones, his wife Kelsey. Sarah Jones, Meghan, Jacob and Molly Walsh and Grayson Flaherty. He is also the beloved friend and brother-in-law of Henry Connolly and his wife Wendy of Peabody. He was predeceased his siblings, George Jr, Joseph, John, Thomas, Martin, Loretta Ann, Edward and Michael. He is also the cherished uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St. Salem from 4-8pm. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Church in Peabody on Tuesday, July 11 at 10am with burial to follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Salem. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, 637 Cambridge Street, Brighton, MA 02138 or the Disabled American Veterans, VARO-JFK Federal Bldg, Room 1575B, 15 New Sudbury Street, Boston, MA 02203-0002.