QUEENSBURY – Brett S. Flaherty, 55, a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend passed away peacefully Aug 29, 2016, at Glens Falls Hospital surrounded by his loving family after an intense battle with lung cancer.
Born on December 28, 1960 in Glens Falls, he was the son of Thomas K. and Patricia H (Hopkins). Flaherty.
Brett attended Queensbury Senior High School and graduated with the class of 1979.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1980, specializing in Russian linguistics as a Signit Voice Interceptor. While serving abroad he was stationed in Augsburg, Germany where he met his wife Pam, who also was enlisted in the U.S. Army. Brett had fond memories of Op Stop and Our Place. He served his country for 9 years reaching the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1989.
Following his military career, Brett attended the Zone 5 Law Enforcement Academy and became a deputy of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department. He served the local community for 26 years. He began his police career in 1989 as a Communications Officer in the Warren County Communications Center- 911 Dispatch. In 1992, he transferred to road patrol assigned to the night shift. Although he retired on 8/29/13 he returned back to the Department for a short period of time as a Communications Officer until 2015.
After his retirement, Brett worked alongside his father and Dave Sommer at T.K. Flaherty Associates. Dave was like a brother to Brett and on one particular job while working in a trench Dave saved Brett’s life when he suffered a critical injury to his leg. As Brett would say, Brett -1, pipe saw -0.
If you were acquainted with Brett whether it be as a family member, co-worker, community member or friend you knew that he was always there to help. Your needs came before his. He was always prepared to sacrifice his life and time for others. Quoting one of his friends “Brett served his country in the U.S. Army, devoted a career to protecting his community as a deputy sheriff and somehow still made time to help friends in need. Selfish was a word that he likely did not know because no one ever had occasion to use it in the same breath as his name.” Quoting another friend “Brett wasn’t the life of the party but he was the guy that held the party and made sure everyone was having fun.” During his 26 year career as a deputy he responded to many unfathomable calls. He rarely spoke of his job whether it was saving the life of an overdose victim or backing up his fellow deputies. He did however, find a couple of particular situations humorous including the night he was chasing a suspect through the woods who was wearing light up sneakers and the time he needed to apprehend trespassers on West Mountain in which he played a recording of his family German Shepherd Zeus over the speaker of the police car and told them they had moments to come out or he was releasing the dog. The trespassers surrendered, came out of the woods and asked where the dog was. He responded “What dog?” Brett enjoyed his boat “Yes Dear”, cooking for his fellow officers (the spicier the better), snowmobiling, riding his motorcycle and could 2-step circles around anyone on a dance floor. The world is a lesser place, while the lives he has touched have been enriched by his presence. Brett would want the party of life to continue so rather than grieve his absence, raise your glass and toast in his memory. Take deep breaths, lean on your friends, look up for strength and love your family.
His daughters Nicole and Kaitlin were the center of his world. He was extremely proud of their accomplishments, which included Nicole receiving her PhD as well as Kaitlin’s talent in the sport of tennis and the arts. He supported and encouraged them in all their endeavors throughout their lives.
He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Scott and Geraldine Hopkins, his paternal grandparents Ira and Blanche White, and his in-laws Maurice and Rose Thompson.
Brett is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Pamela (Thompson) Flaherty; his daughter, Dr. Nicole (Flaherty) Shakerley and her husband Nate of Clifton Park, his daughter, Kaitlin R. Flaherty of Queensbury; his parents, Thomas K. & Patricia H. Flaherty of Queensbury; his brother Scott K. Flaherty and his wife Anne of Yelm, WA; his sister, Stacy L. Flaherty of Queensbury; his granddaughter, Sabrina Shakerley of Clifton Park, his brothers in law Pat Thompson and his wife Teresa Wallert Thompson of El Dorado, KS, and Paul Thompson of Mandan, ND; his nephews, Derek & Tyler Flaherty of Alabama, and Kyle Byrne of Queensbury; his nieces, Keara & Kindra Byrne of Queensbury, his maternal aunt, Nancy Toole and her husband Jim of Glens Falls, and his cousin Darren Graham-Messercola and his husband David of Schenectady.
Family and friends may call from 5pm to 8pm, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016, at the Carleton Funeral Home Inc., 68 Main St., Hudson Falls.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11am, Wednesday, Sept 7, 2016, at the funeral home.
Burial with full military honors will follow at 1 p.m. at Gerald B. H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Road, Saratoga.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes to request memorial donations in Brett’s name to the Central New York Veteran’s Outreach Center, 726 Washington Street, Utica, NY 13502 or the Warren County Police Benevolent Association, 1400 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845.
