Our Dad, Eugene "Bud" Flaherty, passed away on May 18,2014, at the age of 97 with his loving family by his side. He leaves his wife Wilma, daughters Barbara (Ray) Ochoa, Joanne (Jim) Roccaforte, Patricia, Ali (Sak) Sakamoto and son Michael (Jeanne) Flaherty. "Gramps" as he was known to his beloved grandchildren: Raylene (Carl) Sims, Jack Ochoa (deceased), Kathy (Ponch) Flores, Raymond (Tina) Ochoa, Jimmy (Melissa) Roccaforte, Jeff Roccaforte, Renee Flaherty, Patrick Flaherty and Jason (Alexandra) Sakamoto. Great-grandchildren: Andy (Jenny) Taylor, Kelly Rey, Travis Sims, Cody Sims, Kristen Flores, Ryan Flores, Timothy Weiler, Owen Roccaforte, Ben Roccaforte, Joshua Ochoa and Taylor Ochoa. Two great great grandchildren: Isaac Martinez and Jack Taylor. Dad was also a wonderful father to Wilma's children: Wanda Metzen, Roxann Waggner, James Applewhite, Candy Cole and Denise (Jim) Rehana. They gave Gramps nine grandchildren: James Hardin (deceased), Jason (Andrea) Hardin, Cory Cole, Mark Applewhite, James Applewhite, Kristine (Ryan) Coldwell, Daniel Wetzen, Jamie (Justin) Colbert and Matthew Emery. And four great grandchildren: Jaren, Gavin and Maddux Colbert and Serenity Emery.

Dad was born and raised in San Francisco. He joined the Army just before the start of WWII. He was stationed in Alaska for three and one half years before he received his first furlough. He helped construct the Alcan Highway. When it was completed, he was transferred to the Aleutian Islands to build airfields for the bombers. He was very proud of his time served in the Army and his accomplishments during those years.
Mom and Dad moved to Morgan Hill in 1948 along with their first two children. Dad was a carpenter by trade and soon became very popular with the town's people. He started remodeling houses and commercial businesses. After receiving his contractor license, he began building chicken houses. He built about 80% of all the chicken houses in this area and some in Livermore, Modesto and Southern California.

Dad was an avid fisherman. He started all of us kids fishing at a very early age around the damns in Morgan Hill and also at Frank's Tract up north. He also loved going to the casinos. In his later years, he was always in his workshop making bird houses, dog
houses, mailboxes, planter boxes and children table and chair sets. He was never one to sit still.
He was a member of the Morgan Hill Fish Club, Morgan Hill Fish and Game and Commander of VFW Post 4112.
As his children, we could not have wished for a better father. Everyone who met him immediately liked him. When you became his friend, you were a friend for life.
As Dad loved all animals, in lieu of flowers, a donation to FOSMAS (Friends of San Martin Animal Shelter) would be greatly appreciated. You may mail your donation to FOSMAS, P. O. Box 71, Morgan Hill, Ca. 95037-0071 or you may go online to Friends of San Martin Animal Shelter to donate.

Public graveside service to be held at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park, Gilroy, on June 26, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

Private family gathering to follow.