Edward F. Flaherty

Edward F. Flaherty, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 25, 2025, at age 86.

Ed was a true class act. A hard worker, a kind friend, a gentle soul with a humorous spirit. Above all, Ed was a devoted family man who chose his family over everything else.

Ed was born in Cambridge, MA to Michael and Mary Flaherty where he spent his lively and mischievous early childhood years alongside his 3 older brothers, always giving his mom and older sister a run for their money. Ed went on to graduate from Cambridge High and Latin School. Following high school, he worked in various fields, while always having the goal to attend college. Ed managed to accomplish this goal by saving enough money to put himself through school, attending Bentley College at night while maintaining a full-time job at the Cambridge Welfare Office. It was at the office where he met the love of his life, his beautiful wife Ann. This was truly love at first sight, as Ed proposed after only dating for one month. Ed and Ann married on May 16, 1971, and had their first daughter, Laura on April 28, 1972. Ed earned his bachelor's degree from Bentley College, graduating as the Salutatorian in 1975. Ed and Ann always had dreams of growing their family and buying a home. In 1977, they found their perfect family home in Stoneham, MA. Three years later, on May 5, 1980, their second daughter Erin was born, and their family was complete.

Ed and Ann loved their close-knit neighborhood, many of their neighbors becoming lifelong friends. Their house in Stoneham was the spot where many holidays, gatherings and cookouts were held, with Ed always buying enough food and drink to feed an army. Ed took great pride in his home, especially his pristine lawn and garden and crystal-clear pool. When Ed wasn't doting over his wife and daughters, he was busy spoiling the family dog, Holly.

Ed and Ann loved to travel, taking their girls on many great vacations, including Yellowstone National Park, Disney World, many summers on Cape Cod and numerous trips to New Hampshire just to name a few. When the girls were grown, Ed and Ann shared memorable trips together to Bermuda, Germany, Holland and Switzerland, but their all-time favorite spot to be together was Ogunquit, Maine. Here they spent a week every summer for over 20 years making lifetime memories with friends.

When Ed wasn't with his family, he could be found out by the water with his fishing rod in hand. Fishing was more than just a hobby for Ed, it was his passion and he loved sharing his love for fishing with everyone he met. Ed was an avid fly fisherman and one of the best fly tier's around, teaching his skills to fellow members at the Malden Angler's fishing club where Ed was an active member for over 40 years. Malden Anglers is where Ed met some of his very best friends in life.

Just when Ed felt that his life couldn't be more fulfilled, along came grandchildren. Ed considered himself the luckiest man to have six beautiful grandchildren, three girls and three boys. Emily, Madelyn, Lilah, Tyler, Luke and Brayden were really the lucky ones to have the most fun-loving "Papa." Ed was always so proud to share stories of what his grandkids were up to and what they had accomplished.

Although Ed's health had declined over the last few months, he put on a brave face and tried to do everything he could to get healthy for his family. In true Ed fashion, he put his wife and girls first right up until the very end. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by Ann, Laura and Erin who will miss him forever. They would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the kind-hearted staff on Medical 5 at Melrose Wakefield Hospital who treated Ed with such care and compassion, the unwavering Hospice team from Care Dimensions who made it possible for Ed to be comfortable at home with his family, and finally the remarkable staff from Home Instead who are true angels on earth.

Ed was the beloved husband of Ann M. (Shea) Flaherty with whom he shared 53 years of marriage. Devoted father of Laura Hopkins and her husband Patrick of Old Bridge, NJ, and Erin Maiolino and her husband Peter of Wakefield. Cherished grandfather of Emily, Madelyn, Tyler, Brayden, Luke and Lilah. Loving brother of the late Theresa Gillis, William Flaherty, James Flaherty, Francis Flaherty, and dear brother-in-law of Mary Smith and her husband Hank of Topsfield. Uncle of James Flaherty and Marion Devino.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather in honor of Ed during Visiting Hours at Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose, on Wednesday, April 30 from 4-7pm, and again on Thursday at 9am before leaving in procession to Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield for his Funeral Mass at 10am.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Ed by finding a moment to reconnect with a friend, offer a kind gesture, or simply make someone smile by choosing kindness. His life was stitched together with small, beautiful acts of love. In small, quiet ways, Ed made life better and may we all carry a piece of that into the world.