Paul Flattery

Paul Flattery passed away peacefully at home with his wife of 60 years, Dorothy, and other members of his family at his side, on the evening of May 17, 2019. Paul was a man of many accomplishments but if you asked him what was the greatest achievement in his life he would tell you, unequivocally, that it was convincing Dot to marry him. During their blessed years together they shared adventures as avid travelers, much laughter and some tears and many, many great steaks that Paul, as a master of the grill, would cook to perfection. Paul was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York to Alice and Henry Flattery. He was the youngest of five children and preceded in death by brothers Jack and Bob and sisters Alice and Pat. After attending Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, Paul left New York for the rolling hills of the Midwest to northern Indiana, with a Naval ROTC scholarship to attend the University of Notre Dame. The years that included Notre Dame were pivotal in Paul’s life for it was during this time that he met Dot at a summer picnic, and realized she was the girl for him. He also spent a summer cruise on the USS Missouri and realized the Navy was not for him. That was when he decided on the United States Marine Corps. The Missouri, however, always held a spot in Paul’s heart, and it was to that mighty ship he returned on his last vacation with Dot, to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, November 2018. Upon graduation from Notre Dame as a member of the Class of ‘57 and with a degree in Electrical Engineering Paul embarked upon his time in the U.S. Marine Corps. On August 1, 1959 he married Dorothy after she completed her Nursing Degree at Boston College. With the completion of his military obligation Paul went to law school at Georgetown University. His first son, Paul Jr., was born while he and Dot were in Washington, D.C. and Kevin followed a year later. It was back to New York for Paul and Dot after law school, living in Staten Island and Hastings-on-Hudson, working as a Patent Attorney for the firm of Fish and Neve. The family grew while they were in New York adding three more sons: Bill, P.J., and Steve. Paul would cite his family as the greatest achievement of he and Dot together. The Midwest beckoned Paul again, and in 1975 the Flattery’s moved to Deerfield, IL outside of Chicago. There Paul worked as a Patent Attorney for Baxter Healthcare, eventually rising to become the corporation’s Chief Patent Counsel, the position from which he eventually retired in 1996. While in Deerfield Paul and Dot were active members of the Chicago Curling club, forming friendships that were lifelong, and serving as Club President in 1988. In retirement Paul settled with his bride in Sarasota, Florida. He enjoyed many hobbies like travelling with Dot, sailing model yachts on the local lakes, returning to Notre Dame for football games, and he tolerated some other hobbies - like golf. Perhaps his favorite however was a quiet few moments outside, in the warmth and sunshine of Florida, enjoying a great cigar and a good book. Paul was the proudest of husbands and fathers, a devoted grandfather of six grandchildren and beloved grand-dog, a U.S. Marine forever - Semper Fi, and a Fighting Irish of Notre Dame to the core. Paul will be interred on 14 June 2019, at 1:30pm, at the Sarasota National Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life on 15 June from 3 - 5 p.m. at the University Park Country Club. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Tidewell Hospice, Philanthropy Department, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.

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Paul Flattery

May 17, 2019