Olney Martin Flaherty

GROTON, CT - Olney Martin Flaherty, 61, of 60 E Street, Groton, CT, died Thursday, April 28, 2005, in an aviation accident on Pine Island, FL. He was the husband of Barbara Lee Thomas. Born in Newport, RI, on November 9, 1943, he was the son of the late Frank Dunbar and Ethel Cossette Flaherty, of Middletown, RI.Olney graduated from Middletown High School, Class of 1963 and married the late Jane Kelly of Middletown in 1967. Olney joined the Naval Engineers Corp., the ?Sea Bees?, and was based for a time at Quonset, RI. He served with distinction in Vietnam where his unit constructed Marine fire bases, power lines, and wells.After military service, he took a position as a lineman with Connecticut Light and Power in Madison, CT, and settled in East Lyme. He worked for 32 years as a lineman before retiring as a foreman and was fondly referred to by his line crew and friends as ?Flash?.Olney and Barbara became seasonal residents of Ft. Myers, FL. In the Florida hurricanes of 2004, Olney volunteered to help restore power to hurricane victims.Olney had a great love of the ocean and was an avid sailor. With his family, Olney sailed the waters of Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay for over 30 years. He also enjoyed fishing with his father and brothers. He recently developed a passion for aviation and was working toward a pilots license. Besides his wife he is survived by two daughters Deborah Flaherty Douglas of Rotonda, FL, and Stephanie Flaherty of Saunderstown, RI, a step daughter Stacie Luzzi of Westerly, RI, three brothers Gary D. Flaherty of Reston, VA, Timothy B. Flaherty of Middletown, RI, and Mark B. Flaherty of Portsmouth, RI, and a sister Maureen S. Marques of Middletown, RI. He was also the brother of the late Francis M. Flaherty.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2005, at 10:00AM, in St. Lucys Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown.Burial will be private.Calling hours are omitted.Memorial donations may be made to Make A Wish Foundation For Children, 757 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI, 02910.Funeral arrangements by Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.