James H. Flaherty III

MERRIMACK - James H. Flaherty III, 76, of Merrimack, formerly of Hollis and Medford, Mass., passed away peacefully on March 27, 2015, at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, with his family by his side, after a short battle with AML.

Born in Boston on Jan. 16, 1939, Jim was the son of the late James H. Jr. and Marguerite (Choquette) Flaherty. Jim graduated from Malden Catholic High School, Class of 1956 and Providence College, receiving his B.S. in business in 1960. He played hockey as a defenseman throughout those years.

Jim retired after 30 years in the oil industry. He worked at Northeast Petroleum as a vice president and also in sales for Cargill Energy. He was an active member of all six New England states' oil associations. Jim was a member of the First Congregational Church of Merrimack.

Over his lifetime, Jim enjoyed many different sports in many ways. After college, he was an assistant coach for the Malden Catholic, BC High School and Central Catholic hockey teams. He supported the Hollis-Brookline wrestling team and field hockey team while living in Hollis. He enjoyed attending many of the grandkids' sports events. He was an avid car enthusiast, and all of his children went to him to get advice on buying a car, fixing a car, even washing a car.

Members of his family include his wife of 22 years, Susan (McRoberts) Flaherty, whom he married May 21, 1992; children Scott and wife Diana Flaherty of South Carolina, Julie (Flaherty) and husband Robert Sarbieski of Atkinson, Sharon (Flaherty) Dostie of Pelham, Joel and wife Amy Flaherty of Pelham, Jennifer (Elliott) and husband Rohit Amarnath of New Jersey, Jared and wife Heather Elliott of Nashua, Jaima (Elliott) and husband Joshua Wilder of Nashua, daughter-in-law Pamela Flaherty of Shrewsbury, Mass., and son-in-law John Dostie of Methuen Mass.; grandchildren Jonathan, Bret, Matthew, Alexander, James, Stephanie, Taylor, Eric, Jenna, Kayla, Aliya, Logan, Rahil, Caleb, Teagan, Livia, Liam, Eliana, Alexa, Olivia, Isaiah and Emma. Jim also leaves behind cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends who loved him.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by son James H. Flaherty IV and brothers Paul and Kevin.

The family would like to thank all of the caregivers at Brigham and Women's Hospital, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Community Hospice House..

SERVICES: A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, at the First Congregational Church of Merrimack, 7 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack, NH 03054, with a luncheon to follow the service. Interment prayers and burial will be held later in the spring at the East Cemetery in Hollis. Family and friends are invited to attend.

The Davis Funeral Home, One Lock St., Nashua, has been placed in charge of arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com, (883-3401).