Patrick Frank Flaherty

November 1, 2020

March 10, 1932 - November 1, 2020

It is with deep sorrow that we announce that Pat has departed on his next great adventure.

Left to mourn his loss are his children, Kevin and Kathy; grandchildren, Tara, Tina, and Marcela; great-grandchildren, Lorenzo, Beretta and Emery; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Pat was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth (née Walchuk); daughter, Koreen; sister, Kay; brother, Tom; and his parents, Thomas and Betty.

Pat was born in Lloydminster and was a true Prairie boy, excelling at and winning awards in both hockey and track and field. His career choices were as interesting as his stories: as a surveyor and guide he explored the Rocky Mountains; as an electrician he worked on installing power lines throughout Alberta; and later as a furniture restoration expert he put his broad knowledge to use restoring antiques and family heirlooms.

Pat loved to travel. When he was 74, Pat set off on a trip around the world, and prided himself in travelling light. He brought only a backpack with him for his many adventures throughout Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. His annual fishing trips in Haida Gwaii were a great source of stories – and fish – for his family and friends.

Everywhere he went, Pat loved meeting and talking to people. He started an annual block party which created a sense of community in his neighbourhood, and almost everyone knew who he was. He always had time for a chat and a game of crib, which he seldom lost. His favourite people, of course, were his great-grandchildren and he kept them entertained with his jokes and his dentures. He always had an interesting story to tell, and these stories will be missed.

For taking the time to listen to his final stories and for their wonderful care, the family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Unit 93 at the Rockyview General Hospital.

Honouring Pat’s wishes, there will be no Service, but if you should find yourself with a pint of Guinness in hand, raise your glass in honour of a man who left a lot of smiles and laughter in his wake.

Messages of Condolence

Whenever I had the pleasure of visiting with Pat, it was clear to see that he was a jovial man. I know that he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with all of you.

- Rhonda and Family

I had the great pleasure of meeting Pat about 14 years ago and being entrusted to help him plan his trip around the world. We poured over maps and itineraries to come up with a journey focused on rich culture, remarkable landscapes and incredible wildlife. Pat kept in touch sharing stories of the scenery, his experiences and the people he had met along the way. He painted the pictures with such enthusiasm you couldn't help but be drawn in. I also remember we had talked about him travelling to Antarctica in the fall of 2007. I received a phone call from Pat towards Christmas that year and he spoke about missing out on a great adventure, and I said we will get you there one day Pat. But he pointed out that the departure that we were considering was indeed the ship which had hit hard ice and later sank just off the Antarctic peninsula. Passengers were rescued to a Chilean base nearby and evacuated to the mainland after a couple of days. He said, "Now that would have been quite the expedition!" We have stayed connected over the years with his annual trip up to the Haida Gwaii. And if Pat was in the neighbourhood he would often drop in to say hello, sometimes with a cinnamon bun! I looked forward to phone calls just to catch up on life and to share more stories. Pat was an absolute treasure and will always be an inspiration to me on my life's journey.

- Vicky Young

To the family, Pat was my first cousin. Because I live out east now, I didn't get to see him much, but I remember one family get together at Kay's. Pat had everybody laughing. That was years ago, but I can still hear the laughter and feel the warmth. It's a nice memory to have. My sympathy to you all.

- Elizabeth Jones

Pat was our very own "King of Kensington".If you wanted to know what was going on in our neighborhood all you had to do was ask Pat and you would get a full rundown of the news, rumors, gossip and other trivia that he had gleaned from his travels around Windsor Park. He was a great friend and I kept him busy repairing my various yard tools and equipment and all I had to do was mow his lawn and shovel his sidewalks...a great bargain for both of us.Pat will be missed not only by his immediate family but also by his extended family of neighbors and friends who came to rely on Pat for just being Pat.

- Tom Love

Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you got 'til it's gone. That pretty much sums up how I've been feeling since Pat left on his next adventure. Pat has been such a constant in our lives, I'm struggling to comprehend that he isn't across the street in his chair watching and, sometimes, waving when I arrive home. It seemed that he would be there for 'ever and always'. He was a good friend and a great neighbour. We always knew Pat had a watchful eye on our families and our homes; a one-man neighbourhood watch. He was also our neighbourhood community-builder! The 53-avenue block party that he started and organized for many years has resulted in many close friendships between neighbours. I feel like we are a close-knit bunch because of his vision. We'll have to set out a chair for him at next year's party. I'm sad that we weren't able to celebrate with him this year because of Covid. I'll miss our visits, his stories, his wisdom, his honesty and, especially, the twinkle in his eye when he told a joke. Oh! And his delicious halibut! My thoughts are with your family. May the memories and stories you share about your dad/ grandpa/ great-grandpa give you peace, comfort and laughter during this difficult time. Now, I'm off to buy a pint of Guinness!

- Dawn Williams

I was lucky enough to have bought the house next to Pat, and for almost 13 years had the joy of hearing his stories over our shared fence. During a time when Windsor Park was experiencing a bit of a rebirth, houses were turning over quickly on our block and new people seemingly showing up monthly, Pat was always a keystone figure in the neighbourhood. I think this was best illustrated in his implementation of our annual block parties. He brought the idea up innocently enough by asking if we would volunteer to grill some fish he had caught during a recent west coast trip, by the second year we realized how serious he was about the parties when he brought out over 60lbs of salmon, halibut and lingcod he wanted to share amongst his neighbours. By the third year there was even more fish, he had invited the local fire hall to join (always good to keep those guys as your friends he joked) and the party was drawing people from all over Windsor Park! Those parties continue to be one of his many legacies in our community. He will be greatly missed. Alyssa and I send our condolences to his family. Thank you for sharing Pat with us.

- Dan Wyman

I lived on 53rd Ave, two doors west of Pat, for 8 years. I met him before I had even taken possession of my house, and was invited to the block party. “Pat in the Hat”, as he was affectionately, and appropriately known, was a true believer in community and the embodiment of a good neighbour. He will be missed by all of those who had the happy fortune of knowing him. To his family, my very best as you deal with such a big loss. Anne Manning

- Anne Manning

Firstly my heartfelt condolences to Pats family. Where to begin. I met Pat some 20 or more years ago when he moved in across the street. What an icon. I will miss Pat so much. I will miss hanging out with him in the alley. He working on something in his garage, me working/playing on my own things across the alley. I will always miss him coming over to our house with a broken metal piece of furniture he wanted me to weld or repair. I will miss him sitting in his favourite chair keeping watch over the neighbourhood, the friendly wave or gesture for me to come inside and say hi. I will miss him coming into the garage and check up on me while working. The wonderful stories of his younger years and interesting adventures. The one thing I will truly miss is the greeting we always exchanged when meeting. Me, "How are you Pat?" Pat, " I am still here!" I think those are the words that summed up Pat, we thought he would always be here. Hope your next adventure will be wonderful.

- Dave Williams

Pat was my first cousin. He was a warm, funny person, and a source of interesting family history. I fondly remember him showing my daughter and me around town when we visited out west. We will miss him. Our sympathies to all of you.

- Ruth and Augusta Jones

I’ve known Pat for 4 years I live with him, I rented in the basement. I was glad Pat is my landlord His very kind person and very humble. He treat me like his family and also his family as well. Pat invited me in annual block party in neighborhood, its kinda overcome to me because it was my first time to meet all the neighbor knowing all of them and we had fun chatting and eating. When my husband come in canada he told me if his okey to work with him for the meantime. And he told to my son I am your grandpa in canada ( his joking to my son ) we are so lucky to have Pat in our family. I remember that day we having a pancake he cook for us just to welcoming my husband and son. We have alots of memories with Pat the years we lived with him. We just move recently in corner of the street we still visited Pat just have small chatting and everytime we passing by Pat house I always wave my hand just to say hello. In one day its kinda shocking to me I can’t imagine how quick it is. Pat was an amazing person friend, neighbor in 53 ave. One thing that I dont forget you Pat is your Stew.. We missed you Pat. May you have rest in new life journey.

- Marlene, Stephen and Ethan

I lived across the street from Pat for several years and he was the kind of neighbour I wanted to take with me when I moved away. Always busy working D.O.M industries (dirty old man) I will miss his sense of humour and want to be just like him when I grow up.

- Greg Seidlitz

Pat was a great friend and neighbor an honor and privilege to have in my life. I moved to Windsor Park about 25 years ago . I admit I was on the wrong side of the alley (54 ave.) but he still accepted me. I was always invited to the block party which was great to meet the neighbors and keep community spirit going. We had many great talks and we new many of the same people in the electrical industry. We played many pranks on each other but this one I could not top. It was my birthday June 28. They were voting that day @ the school across from my house. I was having a terrible busy day. I came home from work and there was police tape around the front of my house and a sign. I thought what is going on? People were walking out to read the sign after voting. They left laughing That sign said he turned 50 today and he voted wrong. I was never able to get back on him .A great neighbor and friend. My condolences to family.

- kevin merriman

It was July 2019 when my husband and I had a walk around the neighborhood to observe and to make sure we are purchasing a house to grow our kids up in a great neighborhood. Lot’s of unknown and hesitancy till I saw a man that greatly reminded me of my grandpa, that I had recently lost. He had a friendly smile sitting on a couch , watching TV. I dared to knock on the door and the result was beyond my expectation.We laughed and talked about everything and anything, from his young age and adventure as surveyor , to be the first Block Party organizer, etc.... He listened to our concerns and assured us about the neighborhood. He mentioned that he started the Block party to make sure if something happens, our kids have the courage to get help from neighbours. Our story started there and he became my new precious grandfather that I could have ever wished for. So sad that due to Covid , my visits got shorter and less frequent with social distancing to keep him safe. It feels like I have lost my beloved grandfather for the second time. Our condolences to the family for the great loss. Pat and his kind memories will be with us forever. I am confident he is going to be the source of joy and kindness in his new adventure too.

- Maryam and Amir

Like others, I met Pat years ago when he was canvassing for our first Block Party. That led to a dozen annual parties where we neighbors got to meet as friends. Pat always wanted block parties to spread throughout the community. The fresh-caught fish he provided for the BBQ was amazing but his stories of getting from Calgary to his fishing spot north of Vancouver Island were definitely something for the archives. Sampling wines from the Cypress Hills (mead was his favorite) with him, always triggered memories of his ranching days, his work in running the power grid through the mountains, his days as a hockey player trying out as a goalie for the Red Wings the year before Gordie Howe joined the team, his time running a furniture manufacturing business, and his incredible skills in restoring furniture in his workshop. It was great to get to know you, Pat. Thank you for knocking on my door. It was life-changing.

- Rich Orlesky

I met Pat over 10 years ago when he was looking for someone who could do Hardwood floor work for him. We worked on many projects together. Pat was one of these persons who took pride in everything he did. I was always impressed about his energy, his positive attitude. I will for sure miss you. RIP Klaus

- Klaus Widmann

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