Obituary of Robert Wesley Flaherty

Philadelphia- Robert Wesley Flaherty, 84, formerly of Wanakena, died on May 1, 2015 at the home of his caregiver, Jane Stone in Philadelphia. He was also under the care of his family and Hospice of Jefferson County, after a long battle with cancer. He was born on July 28, 1930 in Watertown, to Robert & Alice O'Hara Wesley. His parents owned and operated a gas station and fuel service in Philadelphia and the family farm in Antwerp for many years. He graduated from Philadelphia High School. He worked for his parents' fuel service and was a Postmaster for the United States Postal Service in Austin Texas, and Carthage. With his parents' permission, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1947 at age 17. He served until 1959 with much of his service overseas; in Korea, England, Okinawa, Japan and Germany. His second marriage to Dorothy ended in divorce. He then married Barbara, she died in 2008. He is survived by three children, Patrick Flaherty, Philadelphia; Steven Flaherty, Texas; Robert Flaherty, Texas; a Step-Son, Travis, Oregon. A sister, Joanne and her husband Roger Rappole, Florida. He is also survived by his aunt, Helen Gaffney, Norwood; and four grandchildren, Andrew, Texas; Joshua, Oregon; Clarissa, Philadelphia; Chloe, Philadelphia, 2 nieces, Charmaine and Michelle and a nephew, Lewis and several cousins from Potsdam, Syracuse, and Gouverneur. He enjoyed his Wanakena home; he was an avid reader, he loved hunting, fishing and he was a member of the Cranberry Lake Boat Club and a past member of the Philadelphia American Legion. In his younger years he was an umpire and baseball coach for young and high school children; he also helped the Philadelphia Fire Department during the blizzard of 77. Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2015 from 1:00-2:00pm at the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State St, Carthage. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00pm with The Reverend Robert Sly in the Chapel of the Funeral Home. A dinner will follow at the Philadelphia American Legion. Burial will be held on the family's property at a later date. Online condolences can be made to www.lundyfuneral.com