George Frederick Flaherty Sr.

George Frederick Flaherty, Sr., died on Thursday, November 27th, 2025, in Fort Myers, Florida after a long battle with cancer. He was the husband of Kathleen (Lavigne) Flaherty, whom he married on December 6, 1975.

George was born on January 1, 1947, the fourth child of Luke Bernard Flaherty and Mary Pauline (Bolger) Flaherty. He was educated in Waterbury, Connecticut schools, graduating in 1964 from Croft High School. He was proud to be in the second generation of four from the Flaherty Family to graduate from the former St. Mary Grammar School.

In 1975, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Southern Connecticut State University. He further compiled 90 credits beyond his Bachelor's degree at both Fairfield University and Trinity College of Vermont.

He entered the teaching profession in 1977 as a history teacher at St. Margaret Grammar School in Waterbury. In 1985, he became the head of the history department at Fairfield Country Day School. He returned to Waterbury as a history teacher at Wilby High School, from which he retired in 2008.

As the son of a strong union worker and supporter, George naturally gravitated to being an active member of The Waterbury Teachers Association where he held the position of building representative at Wilby and served a term as a member of the Executive Board. He also unsuccessfully ran for the presidency of the union. In addition, he became active in the Connecticut Teachers Association, serving seven times as a delegate to the National Education Association Convention and one term as an alternate member of the executive committee.

The political bug also gave George a bite and he ran as an Independent Candidate for Mayor of Waterbury in 1989, as an Independent Candidate for the Waterbury Board of Aldermen in 1991, and as a Democratic Primary Candidate for Representative of the 72 District of the State House of Representatives in 1992. While failing to get elected, he was proud to have put himself and his ideas on record.

After retirement, George and Kathy relocated to Fort Myers, Florida and conveniently bought a home in the Stoneybrook Community, just ten minutes from the Boston Red Sox spring training facility. At Stoneybrook, George continued to be involved in community affairs, first as a member of the Neighborhood Watch Committee and then as an elected member of the Master Board of Directors of the Home Owners Association, serving five years, including one as president.

George was an avid sports fan, particularly in baseball. He was a "die hard" Boston Red Sox fan, who attended or watched on television as many games as possible each season. He saw the greats of many eras such as Ted Williams, Sandy Kofax, Minnie Minoso, Mickey Mantle, Rojer Maris, George Brett, Carl Yastrzemski, Dwight Evans, Bob Gibson, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench and so many others. His love of baseball led him to a twenty-year coaching experience, including 15 years as the founder and coach of the Waterbury Cardinals. The Waterbury Cardinals played an aggressive 40 game yearly schedule as a "barnstorming team", travelling to play as far west as the Mississippi River and north into Canada. He was always most proud of the 1974 team that won the Naugatuck Valley Senior Babe Ruth League Championship out of the 13 teams which competed.

In addition to the Cardinals, he also coached the Saint Margaret Team (1978-1982), the Nonnewaug Varsity Baseball Team (1983 & 1984), and the Fairfield Country Day School Team (1985-1989), winning the Westchester League championship in 1987.

In 1968, he was the co-founder, along with the late Jack Sheehy, of The Mattatuck Basketball Association and coached the East End Tigers. He also coached St. Margaret basketball for five years, the Wamogo JV basketball team for a year, coached Wallace Middle School for four years, winning the city Championship once, as well as seven years at Fairfield Country Day.

Along with coaching, George spent decades umpiring baseball and softball, and officiating basketball.

While sports were his passion, the greatest purpose of his life was his family. From the very early stages of each child's life he repeated what he called the family motto, "Brothers and Sisters, Loving, Caring and Sharing". This motto is one his children follow to this day. He often told them how proud he was that they embraced and followed that simple task.

Kathy, the love of his life, was his spirit and the glue which held this loving family together. Through thick and thin she often carried him from the abyss. Their marriage vows were not just words, but a commitment for life. He often said he fell in love with her at first sight, a love that never died.

In addition to his widow, George is survived by his brothers; William James Flaherty of Hingham, MA and Kevin Michael Flaherty and his wife Nancy of Torrington, CT. He leaves behind his polished diamonds, daughter; Patricia Christine Flaherty of Waterbury; his namesake, son, George Frederick Flaherty, Jr. and his wife Tara of Middlebury, CT; daughters, Coleen Marie Merritt and her husband Brendan also from Middlebury, Kelly Frances Flaherty, and Shannon Kathleen Flaherty, both of Waterbury. He also leaves a sister-in-law, Susan Sweeney Flaherty of Iowa City, Iowa.

George was predeceased by his parents, his brother Luke Joseph Flaherty of Iowa City and his sister Mary Ann Flaherty of Waterbury.

As his children provided his reason for being, the same can be said for his surviving nine grandchildren (Margaret, Rachel, George III, Caitlin, Logan, Brian, Joseph, Patrick, and Elizabeth). He always treasured their smiles, kisses and overall kindness. He cherished going to school functions, babysitting, and just being Grandpa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, December 19th, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic Church in Fort Myers. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, December 30th, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Shriner's Children's Hospital and The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Condolences may be mailed to Kathleen Flaherty, 11287 Canopy Loop, Fort Myer, FL 33913.