James Michael Flaherty

James Michael Flaherty of Ellicott City, MD passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026. He was 100 years old. Jim was born in Pittsburgh, PA (Lawrenceville) on July 3, 1925, the son of the late Michael James Flaherty and Susan Patterson (Cook) Flaherty. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in June of 1943, and was drafted into the military that September to take part in World War II. As Private First Class in the United States Army, he served as an infantry communications specialist until his discharge in 1946. During that time, he was deployed to Europe where he earned a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the Battle of the Bulge. He later joined the Army Reserves and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Signal Corps in 1949.

Following his wartime service, Jim attended The Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie-Mellon University) where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948. During his college years while attending a local dance at the behest of his brother, he met the love of his life, Mary Finlay. Jim and Mary married in February, 1949, building a wonderful life together that eventually included a family of six daughters. Soon after graduation, Jim began work at the Westinghouse Research Laboratories in Pittsburgh specializing in radar systems technology. He also undertook graduate studies at University of Pittsburgh obtaining a Master of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1956. In 1959, Jim transferred to the Westinghouse Aerospace Division near Baltimore MD, moving with his family to Catonsville where he and Mary resided until 2024. He remained with Westinghouse throughout his career, attaining the position of Manager, Research and Development Projects in 1974 which he held until his retirement in 1991. In the course of his career, he authored numerous technical papers and patent invention disclosures and was co-inventor on a U.S. patent awarded in 1971. He was a life member of IEEE and a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Maryland. In addition, he was a member of the Westinghouse Chapter of Toastmasters International, receiving several awards for his uniquely humorous speeches. In addition to his lifelong interest in science, Jim enjoyed music, playing the trombone in his high school band and, later, the accordion for family entertainment. 

Jim was a devoted husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and in-law who valued his family above all else. He will be remembered most for his kindness, his quiet sense of humor and his wise perspective on life. His family has been truly blessed to have the love of such a very good man for such a very long time. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Thomas Flaherty. He is survived by his beloved wife of 77 years, Mary; daughters Mary Pat Howard (Regan), Suzanne Scheid (Earl), Kathleen McGrath (John), Joan Fox (Henry), Maureen Davis (William), and Ellen Flaherty; grandchildren Megan Howard (Nicholas Taylor), Timothy Howard (Ariel), Caitlin Hansen (Scott), Tara Dutka (Michael), Michael McGrath, Emily Nitsch (Paul), Brian Fox, Mark Fox (Alice), Kelly Stoll (Andrew), James Davis (Jessica); great-grandchildren Elise and Sean Hansen, Riley and James Howard, Malcolm, Evan and Mary Dutka, Genevieve and Naomi Nitsch, Charlie Stoll, Noa, Lennon, and Talmage Davis. A private service will be held at Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home in Ellicott City, MD. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in James' memory to  Tunnels to Towers Foundation. 

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