July 15, 2015

Another Good Man Gone

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonherald/obituary.aspx?n=anthony-f-flaherty-tony&pid=175293259&fhid=25375

Anthony F. "Tony" Flaherty



Tony getting arrested with 17 others on Veteran's Day, 2007

FLAHERTY Anthony F. “Tony” Flaherty, 84, of South Boston, died following a brief illness on July 13, 2015. Tony was a retired Naval Officer with more than 26 years of service to our country. He was a civic activist who, as a member of Veterans for Peace, advocated for an end to hatred, violence and war. Father of Paul Flaherty and wife Barbara of SC, Colin Flaherty of Boston, Barry Flaherty and wife Susan of NC, Ellen Flaherty Shatwells of TX, and Kathryn Flaherty Robichau of Marshfield. Brother of Kathleen Flaherty of South Boston and the late Barbara Adams. Also survived by his long-time loving companion Barbara Kenney of Centerville, seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren and many close friends and family including John Lipton of Boston. Visiting Hours from 3:00P.M.-6:00 P.M. Friday July 17 at the Hamel, Wickens & Troupe Funeral Home, 26 Adams Street, QUINCY CENTER. Immediately following the visitation, relatives and friends will gather at the Neighborhood Club of Quincy located nearby at 27 Glendale Road, Quincy, for a service of remembrance, after which all will be invited to enjoy a time of fellowship and refreshment. Funeral and burial details are private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in Tony’s memory be made to the following Catholic charity: Agape Community, 2062 Greenwich Rd, Ware, MA 01082 Hamel, Wickens & Troupe hamelfuneralcare.com

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Tony was an amazing man.

I first met him in March 2004 when I went to a rally on Boston Common protesting dubya's Iraq Adventure. IIRC it was kinda coolish and we were still wearing winter coats. Howard Zinn was one of the speakers. A bunch of guys standing behind this banner caught my attention:



I distinctly remember Tony - he was wearing a Tirolean Hat (I haven't seen one of these since I left Germany in 1973).

I'd like to share a Tony Flaherty story with you:

Last year Tony was having problems with his appetite and sleeping. I had just received both my Mass Medical Marijuana card and was trying different 'flavors' to determine was worked best for back (and brain) pain. At the time I had Girl Scout Cookies and two flavors of Kush.

I go down to a local head shop near Kenmore Sq and pick up a vaporizer and I'm off to Tony's place. I'm explaining how the vaporizer works when his sister (Katy) walks in. I fire the vap up and put in a pinch of Girl Scout Cookies - Tony takes a hit and is wearing a really stupid grin inside of a minute. Katy's looking at Tony's grin and I asked her if she wanted to try. "Yup" she says. Five minutes later both of them are grinning like fools. GSC helped Tony to sleep the last year of his life.

RIP Tony, I'm gonna miss you.