Frank Flaherty

Frank Flaherty died peacefully at home at the age of 91, surrounded by his family who sang “Amazing Grace” before he went to be with his Lord and Family. A memorial service will be held at a later date. He has been buried with military honors next to his wife. Frank served in WWII – the “Greatest Generation” as a forward observer in the 104th Timberwolf Infantry Division. His unit liberated Belgium, Holland, and a concentration camp at Nordhausen where the V2 rockets were made. He was in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the combat infantry badge, bronze star, and a Presidential Unit Citation. He did not talk much about the war, but he valued his army buddies. He returned to Great Falls (the town of his birth), fell in love and married a nursing student who was taking care of his Dad, Frank Flaherty, Sr. This student named Peggy Judge is now showing him around a place where there are no more tears. She had six siblings, of whom four were also veterans of WWII. The Judge family was very good to the Flaherty’s. They were the children of an Irish immigrant and homesteader who settled in Malta, Montana. Dad was proud that he was an F.B.I Man, or Full Blooded Irishman. Frank loved Montana, his family and the cabin at Mortimer Gulch. He loved being a grandpa. He was an only child. His mother died when he was 7. He was dedicated to his family and his Christian faith. He worked for a paper company and founded a Greeting Card business – Trails West. He was married for 40 years until Peggy died and then he remained single. He excelled in photography and his other hobbies were gardening, gourds (some of his artwork won awards in the category of Indian Art), art, dancing, the blues, hiking, little league, boy scouts, the Camera Club, and the Good Medicine Art Club. He stayed active in his senior years playing tennis with a group of friends who nicknamed themselves S.C.U., or Sick Crippled & Useless! Special thanks to Laura Reamer who cared for dad so well, as his home care nurse, the last 4 years of his life and Father David Wilkins for his Pastoral care. The family also thanks the people who shared their lives with the Flaherty family. We love you. Frank is survived by his three sons: Patrick (Bonnie) Flaherty of Great Falls, Mark Flaherty of Cut Bank, Barb Flaherty, his ex-daughter-in-law, Luke Flaherty of Long Beach (Frank spent many winters with his youngest son at his home in Long Beach); grandchildren Dr. Erin Flaherty, Ryan Flaherty, David (Rikki) Flaherty, Dan (Julie) Flaherty, and Deborah Flaherty; great grandchildren Owen David, Finn Joseph, Hudson Hawk, Henry Patrick, and one more on the way. He was preceded in death by his wife Peggy, his mother, and granddaughter Laura. We close with a poem Dad liked, “I dreamed death came the other night and Heaven’s gate opened wide. With kindly grace an Angel ushered me inside. There to my astonishment stood folks I’d known on Earth. Some I’d judged as unfit and of very little worth. Indignant words rose to my lips, but never were set free. For every face showed stunned surprise; no one expected me!” Author Unknown