Paul Flaherty

Paul Andrew Flaherty, 42, died March 16, 2006, unexpectedly at his home in Belmont, CA. Funeral mass will be on Tuesday, March 28, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral with Rev. Brian Moen and Rev. Peter Hughes officiating. Visitation will be Monday, March 27, from 5 to 8 with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Boulger Funeral Home. Burial will be at Holy Cross North Cemetery, Fargo, ND. Paul was born on March 14, 1964, in Milwaukee, WI, to Ruth Mae (Mura) and James Harris Flaherty. In 1968, he moved with his family to Grand Rapids, MN. During his school years, Paul was active in speech and debate and developed his life-long interests in computers and railroading. He graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1982, and attended Marquette University where he graduated summa cum laude with degrees in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics. While at Marquette he was president of Triangle Fraternity. He then went on to Stanford University where he earned his Master?s and Ph.D degrees in Electrical Engineering. While at Stanford he met and married Natalie Margaret Minenko on September 7, 1991. Paul spent his career working in the computer industry. He played an important role in the development of internet search engine technologies. He also worked in and consulted with numerous start-up companies throughout his career. In his spare time he enjoyed railroading, trapshooting, and corresponding with his nieces and nephews. He had an engaging smile and big terrific heart and was loved dearly by his family, friends and coworkers. He is survived by his wife, Natasha Margaret Minenko Flaherty, Belmont, CA. His parents; James and Ruth Flaherty, Fargo, ND. Four brothers; James (Cathleen), Fargo, ND; Daniel (Jeanne), Watertown, SD; Dennis (Elizabeth), Denver, CO; Michael (Melissa) Fargo, ND . Nine nieces and nephews and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Paul will be buried near the Flaherty family home in Fargo, North Dakota. A Paul Andrew Flaherty memorial bench will be installed on the California coast. If you would like to make a donation to the bench project, you may send it to Natasha Flaherty.