LOWELL James P. Flaherty, 62, a lifelong Lowell resident, passed away at his home in Lowell after a period of declining health on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. He was the son of the late James P. Flaherty and the late Mary C. (Raney) Flaherty.
Jimmy was born on January 21, 1961 in Lowell, he was raised and educated in Lowell. A graduate of St. Peter’s Parochial School and Lowell High School with the class of 1979. He then furthered his education at Northern Essex Community College and Middlesex Community College, earning a degree in journalism and a paralegal certificate.
He was a parishioner of the former St. Peter’s Church in Lowell and made all his sacraments at the former Lowell parish. He enjoyed trivia, jeopardy, movies and dining out. He also enjoyed traveling, visiting Ireland, California and Washington among many other locations. He also loved day trips to Maine and down the Cape.
Jimmy loved to tell stories and he was good at it. He could speak at length on nearly any subject to any group of people. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a strong sense of generosity. Donating blood was a key part of his life and he made it a point to donate as much as he could.
Jimmy is survived by his sister, Diane Sheehan and her husband, Robert Sheehan of Lowell; his niece, Siobhan Sheehan and her fiancé, Freddie Esteves, of Lowell, and their daughter, his grand niece, Brooklyn Esteves, his nephews, Patrick Sheehan and and his wife, Jen, of Montana, and Brian Sheehan of Lowell.
And his sister, Patricia Snow and her husband, Roger, of Lowell, his nephew, James Paul Snow of Lowell, his grand niece, Ellianna Flemings-Snow, of Lowell.
And his sister, Maryann Lennon and her husband, Allen Lennon, of Lowell.
And his sister and “Irish twin” Catherine Flaherty of Lowell and his nephew, Denis Connors of Chelmsford and his grand nieces, Madison and Miley, both of Chelmsford.
He is also survived by some very good friends, including, Brian Taylor of Dracut (and family), John and Karen Swanson and family of Billerica and Cathy Hebert of Lowell, Gene O'Brien of Florida, Christopher Santos of Boston, Robert Francoeur of San Francisco, Lil and David Ninteau of Lowell, and Padre Valmour Pimenta of Northolt, Slough, UK.
He was predeceased by his sister the late Dorothy Flaherty.
In lieu of flowers and in Jimmy’s memory, the family humbly asks you to consider donating blood if you are able to and if you are not, please try to enact a simple act of kindness for someone who needs it.
On Thursday, November 2, 2023 all are welcome to attend his visitation from 9 until 10 a.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell 978-458-6816.
His funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. at St. Rita’s Church, 158 Mammoth Road in Lowell. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery.