Joseph M. Flaherty passed away in Wakefield, MA, on September 23, 2021. He was 63 years of age. He was born in Boston and was raised in Dorchester and Melrose. Joseph graduated from Melrose High School in 1976 and Suffolk University with a degree in journalism. Mr. Flaherty has been a resident of Melrose since 1969. Joseph worked as a sports reporter at the Woburn Times & Chronicle and the Salem Evening News. Mr. Flaherty was a big sports fan and especially loved basketball and baseball. Joseph was the son of the late John J. & Ethel M. (Conley) Flaherty. Loving brother of John J. Flaherty & his wife Joanne of Georgetown. Proud uncle of Meaghan & Erin Flaherty. Loving cousin of Francis M. Callahan Jr. & his wife Heather of Lynn. Nephew of the late Mary M. Conley and the late Lauretta Callahan & her husband Francis. Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose, on Thursday, September 30, 2021 from 9:00-10:00AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, 4 Herbert St., Melrose, at 10:30AM. Burial at New Calvary Cemetery in Mattapan.