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Memorial Article
Published Assembly Nov 2002
Edward L Flaherty, Jr. * '46
No. 15876 * 18 Jun 1924 - 20 Feb 2002
Died in Pittsburgh, PA * Interred in Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh,
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Edward Leo Flaherty, Jr. was raised in the Oakland
District of Pittsburgh, PA. Ed graduated from Central Catholic
High School in Oakland. He was active in the Forensics Club where
he enjoyed the challenge of speaking and debating.
Ed joined the Class of 1946 on the banks of the Hudson on 1 July
1943. Cadet life created few problems for Ed. Roommate, Edwin
Frazer recalled: "Ed was very congenial. He was considerate
of everyone and stood up for the underdog. He had a deep commitment
to the Catholic Church." F-1 companymate, Foster Cowey recalled:
"He worked hard and applied himself, yet enjoyed life and
adapted readily to the rigors of cadet life. He had the rare
gift of being truly concerned with the interests of others. He
was a gentleman in every sense of the word." Ed graduated
a second lieutenant in the Infantry.
After basic schooling at Fort Benning, GA, Ed was assigned to
the 24th Division in Japan. He was selected to defend a young
soldier accused of murder and did such a good job he was reassigned
to the division JAG office. In 1948, Ed was selected to attend
the University of PA where he earned his Law degree. In 1952,
he was assigned as an instructor in the Law Department at West
Point. It was during this tour that Ed married Elizabeth "Betsy"
Keally in Pittsburgh. Ed left the Army in 1956 to enter civilian
law.
Ed specialized in the field of real estate, probate and estate
matters with his partner in Meyer and Flaherty. This partnership
was to last for many years. He was with the law firm of Miller,
Ament, Henry and Kochuba at the time of his death. He was very
active in Community Affairs especially with his church. Ed also
served on the Board of Directors of Federated Investors.
Ed Flaherty died 20 February 2002 from renal failure. Survivors
include his wife Betsy; son, Ed III; daughters Patricia, Denise,
Lynn and Carol; sister Mary Lou; brother John and 15 grandchildren.
The legacy of a man is best determined by the remembrances of
those who knew and loved him. This is the case for Ed Flaherty.
Classmate and Catholic Priest, Kevin Lynch, recalled: "Ed
was a positive upbeat man full of delightful humor. He was also
a man of deep and abiding loyalties; to his wife and family,
to his friends, to his Church and, above all, to West Point and
the US Army. He cherished the ideals of West Point as a cadet
and throughout his life. May he rest in peace."
Son Ed III remembered: "Words seem so inadequate to describe
the admiration and love I have for my father. He lived his life
by his unswerving dedication to honesty, integrity, humility
and to Christ. The Long Gray Line is made up of men like my Dad;
we are lucky to have called him ours."
Daughter Pattie wrote: "Dad was always willing to listen
to our side of the story. The gift he gave me that I treasure
most is my faith. He was more interested in helping people than
making a buck. I always felt so good doing something for my Dad
because he dedicated his life to his family. Dad was a superb
father and role model. I miss him dearly but I have wonderful
and treasured memories."
Daughter Denise wrote: "My father's priorities were God,
family and country. What better legacy could one man leave to
his children? My children were struck at my father's funeral
service by the legacy that he has passed on to his children and
grandchildren. They expressed an appreciation to have inherited
this legacy. They were impressed by the comments by people from
his past and present - all stating what a wonderful man he was-
a man of honesty and integrity. At his funeral mass, the priest,
his cousin, said that when my father was face to face with god,
God would look at him and say, 'Well done my faithful servant.'
That statement summarizes my father's life."
Daughter Carol recalled: "Dad was a wonderful role model
for work and ethics as well. He was highly regarded in the community
for his legal work and his community work. Dad was very loving
and generous with his family and friends. He was a great man
who was loved and admired by many. The bottom line is we loved
him very much."
Daughter Lynn remembered: "My Dad was the most honest and
loyal man I ever knew. He taught all us kids by his example the
importance of faith, family and friends. All his friends had
the same morals and values he held dear. As I was growing up,
he said: 'Show me who your friends are and I'll show you who
you are.' I believe the best way to honor my Dad is to live my
life in a way that would make him proud."
His loving wife, Betsy, wrote: "Ed was one of the kindest
and most generous persons ever. We had a blessed marriage and
loving relationship. I miss him so much but know that we will
be together again in a better place."
To these words of love and praise, the Class of 1946 is honored
to add those words that would mean so much to our classmate:
"Well Done, Ed; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his family
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