Joseph R. Flaherty

Joseph R. Joe Flaherty, age 75, passed away at home on Oct. 7th after a yearlong battle with cancer. Born in Milford, MA, he was the son of the late Joseph R. and Mary (Malia) Flaherty. He is survived by, his wife of 45 years, Suzanne (Desmarais), his son Brian, his daughter Karen Ward and her husband Tim, and his two grandchildren T.J. and Cailyn Ward. Joe also leaves three sisters Marie Krassopoulos and her husband George of Millbury, Barbara (Bobbie) Luise of Franklin, Kathleen Flaherty of Uxbridge, his maternal Aunt Agnes and her husband Freddie Landry of Franklin, several nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends. He was also the brother of the late Philip Flaherty and Judith Yapp. Joe was a graduate of Saint Marys Central Catholic High School in Milford. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and his Master of Education Degrees from Worcester State College. Joe taught mathematics at Uxbridge High School, Nipmuc Regional High School and was head of the mathematics department at Franklin High School in Franklin, NH. In Sept 1968 Joe was awarded a federal grant for the Academic Year Institute in Mathematics at Boston College. Following the institute Joe took a position as head of the mathematics department at Dighton Rehoboth Regional High School. He remained in this position until 1990 when he became Educational Technology Director in charge of maintaining the computer data base for the school department, including class scheduling and generating report cards at the high school. He retired in 2002, but continued on as a consultant for an additional two years. For the past ten years Joe and Suzanne spent their winters at their home at Caribbean Isles in Apollo Beach, FL. Joe was a member of the board of directors for the community, serving terms as secretary and vice president. One of the things he was well known for in the community was the St. Patricks dinner of corned beef and cabbage that he and his crew cooked and served to over two hundred people for the past few years. Joe was a member of the Italian Social Club where he enjoyed playing bocce in both the Mens League and the Couples League, but most of all he enjoyed the wonderful friends he made there. He took up golf after his retirement in order to play with Suzanne in the Couples League at John Parker Golf Course where he again made some wonderful friends. Joe was an avid reader and faithfully completed his daily crossword puzzles. He enjoyed watching the Red Sox and Patriots and many college sports teams, but most of all he enjoyed having his grandchildren nearby. Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours at the Crapo-Hathaway Funeral Home, 350 Somerset Ave., (route 138 South) Taunton on Sunday Oct. 16th from 4:00 to 8:00. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 19 Kilmer Ave. Taunton on Monday Oct. 17th at 10:00 am. To light a candle, get directions or to access the memorial register go to www.hathawayfunerals.com