FLAHERTY

Robert “Bob” J., age 74, a lifelong resident of Norwood, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at his home. He was the devoted and loving husband to Mary (Glencross) Flaherty of Norwood.

Born and raised in Norwood, Bob was one of five children born to the late James and Grace (Wulver) Flaherty. He graduatedfrom Norwood High School with the Class of 1971. Following graduation, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy, where he was stationed on the USS Intrepid in the Mediterranean Sea.

From a young age Bob always knew he wanted to be a carpenter. After the Navy he worked for a small construction company and from there he eventually started his own company, renovating people’s kitchens and bathrooms, and building additions. He was an incredibly dedicated and skilled contractor with a very strong work ethic. After about 20 years of working on his own he transitioned to being a project manager often taking on quite large projects up until his retirement.

One of Bob’s favorite activities was working with his hands and creating things from nothing but an idea. There wasn't much he could not build, including his own swimming pool, and a basement terrarium for his tortoises of all sizes. A long-time hobby was building and flying quite impressive and large remote-control airplanes; he was a member of the lazy loopers flying club and often brought his children to his flying shows. He also loved to fish; the family remembers many family trips fishing around the local ponds and when the children got older, he would take them into Boston with him to fish for Stripers. His children write, “Our parents loved to travel and went on many cruises around the Caribbean, trips to Foxwoods, Atlantic City, and a favorite of theirs, Disney World. One of their longtime activities was going into Castle Island, going to Sully’s for a hot dog then an ice cream and walking around looking at the airplanes. One thing our father truly loved was hosting parties, he built a Caribbean oasis in his backyard for his family and friends to enjoy. They hosted countless parties; Thanksgiving, Christmas, Fourth of Julys, graduations, even a wedding, they never said no to hosting. He loved movies, particularly action, sci fi, and comedies, he even built his own theatre in his basement. He gained a love of animals from working at a pet store at a young age. He had many pets throughout the years including dogs, cats, and even more unique pets such as many tortoises, parrots, Japanese Koi, and finches.”

Bob’s proudest accomplishment was being a father to his three children and was a friend to all.

He was a loving and devoted father to Andrea Flaherty of Mansfield and her husband Sean Broome; Kristin Flaherty of Norton; and Bobby Flaherty of Norfolk and his wife Kerry McGrath. He recently became a grandfather to Penelope Flaherty. He is survived by his siblings, Nancy Macaulay, Richard Flaherty, and Janice Lazzaro; and Bob took great joy in his large extended family, including his many nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives.

In addition to his parents, Bob is predeceased by his brother, James Flaherty.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend Visitation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home, 1248 Washington Street, Norwood, MA.

Bob’s funeral will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 9:45 a.m. with a Funeral Service to begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home.

Bob will be laid to rest with Military Honors in Highland Cemetery, 320 Winter Street, Norwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or directly at https://www.heart.org/?form=FUNELYZXFBW