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MICHAEL PATRICK THOMAS O'FLAHERTY
Born: Mar 12, 1926
Date of Passing: Jan 24, 2021
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MICHAEL PATRICK THOMAS O'FLAHERTY
March 12, 1926 - January 24, 2021
As a father he will be missed by Kathline (Gilbert), Michael (Shelley), Nina (Michael), Jeanne (Jason), Ryan (Sabrina) and Thomas (John), and a grandfather to David, Jean, Connell, Delayne and Juliann. He will be missed by nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, relatives, close neighbours and friends.
Dad had an adventurous, long life, he was born during a family trip from the UK to Cork, Ireland to his parents, Thomas and Lucretia and his sister Eileen. Grandfather was a Sergeant in the Regiment of Royal Engineers so he grew up on military bases in the south of England during the 1930s till they moved to Upminster, Essex in 1937. He was a Boy Scout at 11 and the Troupe Leader at 16, he joined the RAF on December 16, 1943 at age 17. He survived war with the loss of many close friends, transitioned to the peace time force helping war ravaged Europe get back on its feet. He was honourably discharged from the RAF July 27, 1951 and reenlisted a day later as a RAF reservist from 1951 to 1955, during this time he took his training to become a RN. With his RN under his belt he decided to come to Canada and see what the future would bring in 1956.
He made his way to the west coast to be a Lumber Jack but it was not to be. His medical training allowed him to get a job with the Federal Government, to the arctic for a bit then to the south where he would meet Annie Garrick in 1958 and they would marry. His work took him to Northwestern Ontario and Northern Manitoba. They would eventually settle in Winnipeg and have four children. Annie would pass due to Lupus in 1977.
In 1982 Dad met Susan Alcock, they would marry the following year. They had two children but their time together was cut short, he would tragically lose her in 1987.
In 1988 a new adventure began with his two young sons, he would move back to his Ireland and settle in Glentreigh, County Galway where he would spend the next 33 years. During this time he made many visits back to Canada to visit his family and friends. He had the great joy in the summer of 2016 celebrating his 90th year, his son Ryan's wedding and the having all his children and most of his grandchildren under his roof at the same time.
He wrote his memoir back in 2013 for his family and will close with his words.
DETERMINING YOUR EXISTENCE
Due to COVID-19 restrictions in Canada and Ireland a family service will take place at a later date when it is safe to travel and gather again.
If you wish to make a donation in his memory we felt that with his love of sled dogs and the north Spirit of Hope Rescue, www.spiritofhoperescue.ca/donating.html would be a good fit.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 30, 2021
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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Please accept my heartfelt condolences to the O'Flaherty family on the passing of your dad/grandfather. I first met Mike in 1982 while taking training under him for my certification for public health inspection/environmental health officer. I found Mike to be a very knowledgeable teacher and just a really good guy all around. Mike went out of his way to give me a good training program. He sent me out on my daily tasks to processes that I wouldn't have been able to enter as a trainee. After training Mike and I kept in touch through phone or meetings . I found him to be a wealth of knowledge when I needed advice. During our meetings, he would often talk about his time up north and his family. I recall that he had a daughter who was contemplating joining the Armed Forces and I believe she eventually did. I consider myself fortunate to have met Mike, and to be able to to call him friend and colleague. Rest in peace Mike. - Posted by: Rick Leclair (Friend and Colleague ) on: Feb 02, 2021
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To the O'Flaherty family: please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your dad. I know he'll be truly missed. I first met Mike in 1977 on a trip to Winnipeg to receive some 'common carrier' training along with a few other EHOs......Mike was the acknowledged specialist in that field and took us through the train yards, flight kitchen and the airport, never slowing down for a second as we all scrambled to keep up with him. A few years later, 1980 Mike interviewed and then hired me into Manitoba Region of the Department of National Health & Welfare, Medical Services Branch. For the next number of years, up until his retirement in 1988, I worked alongside Mike on a daily basis. His depth and breadth of knowledge of pubic health was impressive.....he probably forgot more things than I ever knew. He was a great teacher and I was privileged to have worked with him for those many years. I'm sure everyone who knew Mike has a humorous story or two to tell.....perhaps someone should collect them and write a book. Farewell old friend, may you rest in peace. -Peter Rogers, Wpg - Posted by: Peter Rogers (Former co-worker & family friend) on: Jan 30, 2021
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I'm sorry to hear of Uncle Mike's passing. He spent a lot of time with me in my late teens advising me how to figure out a future for myself. I loved my uncle Mike and all his stories. My condolences to his family. - Posted by: June Mooney (family friend) on: Jan 30, 2021