William "Billy" FlahertyOctober 26, 1927 - February 13, 2009 A Great Guy and a True Entrepreneur
Age 81, a longtime resident of Davenport, IA passed away February 13, 2009 in St. Paul, MN following a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Preceded in death by parents, John “Tip” & Mary Flaherty; and brother, Donald & his wife Rose. Survived by loving wife, Shirley; sons, Denny (Joy), Gary (Clara) & Jay Flaherty; grandchildren, Meghan, Michelle & Shane; & nieces and nephews. People loved Billy’s Irish malarkey. When you met him, his personality was one that made you feel you had known him all your life. He will truly be missed by all his friends & family. After serving in the Navy in WWII, he never let grass grow under his feet. In 1949, he was a member of the championship St. Paul Saints American Association baseball team. Following that, he was a professional hockey trainer in Cleveland, Ohio, where he married Shirley, his high school sweetheart. Over the course of the next several years Billy started, ran, and sold several businesses. His interests ran from starting Billy Boy Orange Juice Company to promoting midget auto racing, owning a chain of Chinese takeout restaurants, to starting the original buy 1 get 1 free coupon books in the 1960's, just to name a few. The two businesses that were nearest and dearest to his heart, always working in the family business of public insurance adjusting, later owning and operating Continental Fire Adjusters and starting Flaherty's Happy Tyme Company, the maker of the original Tom & Jerry mix. Both of these businesses are still run by the family to this day. The Flaherty family would like to give a special thanks to everyone at the Inver Grove Good Samaritan Care Center. A truly remarkable group of caregivers! An extra special thanks to “Gabby” whose personality & energy helped Billy through the good & bad times during his stay at the Good Samaritan. Sympathy cards may be sent to: Shirley M. Flaherty Funeral InformationThe family will hold a private ceremony & celebration of life at a later date through the West Funeral Home in West St. Paul and a burial at the Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul. Donations InformationMemorials may be sent in Billy Flaherty’s name to: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease Research (www.michaeljfox.com). Donations Link:Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease Research DirectionsService: West Funeral Home Cemetery: Oakland Cemetery |
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