James W. Flaherty

James W. Flaherty, longtime resident of Blue Point, N.Y.
July 17, 1932 – February 16, 2025

Jim’s journey through life has been one of adventure, love, and family. Born in Queens, NY, as the eldest of three children, Jim’s spirit of exploration led him to enlist in the Navy in 1951. His desire to see the world was fulfilled during his four years of service, including two memorable years stationed in Naples, Italy.
A natural athlete with a particular passion for basketball, Jim played for the US Navy team. He maintained his connection to the sport by coaching boys CYO and refereeing girls’ basketball games. In addition to basketball, Jim dedicated numerous years coaching boys and girls little league. His love for staying active and understanding nutrition has been a cornerstone of his well lived 92 years, often sharing his wisdom that “nourishment is key, and water is essential."  He also credits his mental outlook, his diet, his lifestyle, his children, and his wife (not necessarily in that order) for his victory over his battles against cancer. 
Through the years, Jim has been blessed with an ever-growing family with his wife Raffaela of 66 years, six children who learned from his example of hard work and dedication, twenty grandchildren in whom he continually instilled confidence and a love for competitive activities, and eighteen great grandchildren, with two more on the way. Jim has been asked in the past, "what is his recipe for happiness?" to which he replied, “Marry someone like Rae."
Jim is a testament to the power of following your dreams, staying active, and putting family first. To put it in his words, “I consider myself the luckiest man alive."
 

Visitation- Friday, February 21, 2025, from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. at our West Sayville Funeral Home, 245 Main St., West Sayville, NY

Funeral Mass- Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 9:45 a.m. at Our Lady of the Snow RC Church, Blue Point, NY

Interment- St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY