Thomas Flaherty

Thomas Montgomery Flaherty passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 6th, 2019 after a long illness. Tom was born in Jackson County, Missouri on January 14, 1935 to Harold Flaherty and Corrine Harmon Flaherty. He graduated from Walla Walla High School, in Walla Walla, Washington. Working for Continental Can Company, he later moved his family to Portland, Oregon to work for the company there as a pressman. Tom helped build the Flaherty family a new home in Vancouver, moving there in in 1964. Over the years he lived in the Portland area, and upon an early retirement from Continental Can, he began building a home in the Orchards area, where he lived until he moved to assisted living in 2015. Tom was dedicated to his family and friends, always there to help in any way he could. He loved to visit family, and to travel, especially to the Oregon coast. His life-long love of horses led to owning and working with race horses, racing them at Portland Meadows and other tracks in the Pacific Northwest. Tom is survived by his daughters, Terese Flaherty-Vaniman of Redmond, WA, and Christine Armas of Vancouver, 3 grandchildren, Jessica, Gregg and Leah, his sister Patricia Flaherty Schmitt of Roseville, CA, and Richard Flaherty of Sisters, OR. His older brother, Robert Flaherty, preceded him in death. The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Fisher's Landing for the care they gave him, especially Kamden, – and for making sure he enjoyed his waffles every morning! Thank you also to Community Home Health and Hospice for the extra care they gave Tom in his final months. Much gratitude and thanks go to Jim Sulis, his independent caregiver, good friend and advocate, who visited Tom, laughed at his corny jokes, and made sure all his needs were taken care of. Jim – you made such a big difference in Tom's final years, and your compassion, help, and dedication to him will always be appreciated.