George “Buster” Flaherty was born Nov. 6, 1919 in Sedro Woolley, Wash., to Roy and Agnas (Angevine) Flaherty.

When he was two, the family moved to Orcas Island, to an area which became known as Flaherty Hill, near present day Rosario Resort. Here Buster and his eight siblings: Arthur, Alice, Maxwell, Terry, Michael, Patricia, Kathleen, and Daniel enjoyed their childhood.

Buster graduated from Orcas High School in 1937 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served four years aboard the USS Arizona, which was later sunk at Pearl Harbor.

He then returned to San Juan Island and was working at Cowell’s Lime Works at Lime Kiln Point when the USA entered WWII. He promptly reenlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for four years in the South Pacific.

After the war, Buster married Marian LaBar and they had two daughters, Linda and Margaret.

Buster then returned to military service and joined the U.S. Air Force. With 20 years of combined service, Buster retired and worked for the Civil Service for another 17 years, doing much the same job he had done in the Air Force.

After final retirement, he moved to San Juan Island, and here married Sonya (Arend) Lang on July 14, 1977. Together they built a beautiful home on Cattle Point Road, where Buster gardened, fished, and which they used as their launching pad for many years of travel.

They did motor home trips, cruised to Alaska, Hawaii, and thru the Panama Canal. They wintered in Arizona for 20 years.

When ferry travel became just too much trouble, they relocated to Mount Vernon and spent 25 happy years. Here, Buster liked to fish and always had a big garden.

Buster is survived by his loving wife, Sonya; daughter, Linda Guinn of Stockton, Calif.; daughter, Margaret and her husband Gary Moore of Woodland, Calif, five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, and three of his youngest siblings.

He was much loved by his two stepdaughters, Edythe Heppler and Bunny Woods.

Memorials in Buster’s name may be sent to the Orcas Island American Legion, Voyle B. Martin Post No. 93, 793 Crescent Beach Drive, East Sound, WA 98245.

— Family of Buster Flaherty