Patrick J. Flatley

Patrick J. Flatley 85, of Pompton Plains, NJ and previously of Mahwah, NJ and Suffern, NY passed away on November 11, 2024 surrounded by the love and care of his children and grandchildren. Patrick is predeceased by his beloved wife Josephine (nee Treacy), his parents Martin and Mary (nee McCullough), his siblings Martin, William, James and Mary, brothers-in-law Thomas Treacy, and Eugene Nallin. He is survived by his 3 children and 6 grandchildren: son Martin (Deborah), and daughters Kathleen (Bill) McGuire, and Eileen (Drew) Vandervelde. He is also survived by his grandchildren whom he adored, Patrick and Jack Flatley, Maggie and Brendan McGuire, and Peter and Alexandra Vandervelde, his sister-in-law Katherine Nallin, and many nieces and nephews.

Patrick was born in New York, NY on March 8, 1939 to Martin and Mary Flatley. He was the youngest of 5 children, and was raised in Flushing, Queens, NY. As a teenager Patrick met a beautiful redheaded Irish girl from Brooklyn named Josephine, who spent many summers at her Aunt’s home down the street from where Patrick lived. Patrick graduated from Delehanty High School in Jamaica, Queens, NY in 1957, and served in the US Army Reserves. He worked for Con Edison for 9 years, and then, with great pride, became a Police Officer with the NYPD in 1966. He married the love of his life, Josephine, on September 30, 1967, and raised their family in Suffern, New York. Patrick proudly served in the NYPD for 26 years; first as a Police Officer on patrol in the 45th Precinct in the Bronx, then receiving a promotion to Detective in 1973 where he served as a field training officer in the 43rd Precinct. In 1986 he transferred to the 50th Precinct Detective Squad until his retirement in 1993.

As much as he loved being in law enforcement, he loved his family more. He was a devoted husband and father, and provided endless love and attention to his children, spending countless hours at little league and softball games, riding bikes, playing boards games, helping with homework, summer days at a local beach club with friends, our annual beach vacation to Wildwood Crest, NJ, and spending time with family in Queens and Long Island, NY, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Arizona. After Patrick and Josephine retired, they enjoyed spending time in Fort Myers Beach, FL each winter, watching their children get married and starting their own families, and spending time with their grandchildren.

Patrick was a proud son of Irish immigrants. He was a hardworking, patient, thoughtful, kind, caring and funny man, who was the epitome of a gentleman. He was a natural teacher, he could fix anything, always had a joke to tell, a hand to lend, a memory like no one else, endless police stories, and a tender heart. His Catholic faith provided him with guidance and comfort throughout life’s challenges. He was truly an incredible husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held on Friday November 15, 2024 from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM at the Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Avenue Butler, NJ, 07405, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church 65 Bartholdi Avenue Butler, NJ 07405. Burial to follow at 12:30 PM at Maryrest Cemetery, 770 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah, NJ 07430. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made in his name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.