Frederick Flahiff

Fred passed away after a short illness on March 9, 2017. Born in Vancouver B.C., July 7, 1933, he was the son of Frederick Sr. and Frances (neé Gillespie) Flahiff. Predeceased by his parents, his brothers Michael (Mary Agnes) and Donald. Mourned by his nephews Terry (Lee), Michael (Bette), Mark (Louise), Donald (Judy), their children, and many cousins. Fred attended high school at Vancouver College, graduating as Class Valedictorian in 1951. He went on to earn his BA at the University of British Columbia, and his MA and PhD in English literature at the University of Toronto with a thesis focussed on Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights. He taught and wrote extensively about Victorian literature, but his scholarly interests and publications were broad, ranging from Geoffrey Chaucer to Ezra Pound. Fred began his teaching career in 1960 at St. Thomas More College in Saskatoon. Upon his return to Toronto the following year, he first joined the faculty of Trinity College, then moved to St. Michael's College in 1964 where he became Full Professor and taught until his retirement in 1999. Fred was held in high esteem and affection by his numerous undergraduate and graduate students; many of them say that his classes changed fundamentally the way they thought about the world and literature, and many maintained contact and friendship with him for years after completion of their studies.

Professor Flahiff was the Literary Executor of the works and papers of Canadian author Sheila Watson. He donated many of her books to the Kelly Library of the University of St. Michael’s College. He also wrote the introduction to an edition of her iconic novel The Double Hook, and published a biography entitled Always Someone to Kill the Doves: A Life of Sheila Watson (2005).

Fred served the University in several ways that went beyond his teaching and scholarship: as Secretary of the old Combined Departments of English, and for a term as the representative of the Federated Colleges faculty on the Governing Council of the University of Toronto. At St. Michael’s College, he served as a Student Residence Don during his graduate studies, and later as Academic Vice President, and Chairman of the Pension Committee.

Visitation will take place beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 17, at Holy Rosary Church, 354 St Clair Ave West, Toronto, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place later in Paris, Ontario, home of many of the Flahiff family’s earlier members. A Celebration of Life is planned for September at St. Michael’s College. In lieu of flowers, donations to a Student Scholarship fund in his honour will be gratefully accepted. Please so indicate on any donations and send to: Office of University Advancement, University of St. Michael’s College, 81 St. Mary Street, Toronto ON M5S 1J4

The family wishes to express its gratitude to the medical and nursing staff and to the chaplaincy at Mt. Sinai Hospital, where Fred began his final journey, and to the staff at the Palliative Care Unit of St. Michael’s Hospital, where he spent his last days. The compassionate care he received, together with the support to his family and friends, is outstanding and much appreciated.