Vincent O'Flaherty

Vincent Francis O’Flaherty passed away Tuesday afternoon, August 4th, 2026, after battling cancer with grace and courage for over three years. He was surrounded by his family in his home of over 30 years in Brookside, just blocks from the house he grew up in.

Vince, born August 31, 1962 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kansas City, was the oldest child of Michael and Barbara (nee Snitzmier) O’Flaherty, and was a role model and friend to his three siblings Joseph, Elizabeth, and Michael. In his own words, he “won the jackpot” with his childhood.

He was a proud graduate of Visitation Grade School, Rockhurst High School, Creighton University, and the University of Missouri School of Law. At each of these, Vince developed deep and loving friendships that lasted his lifetime.

Vince met the love of his life, Anne Hinchey, at Creighton University where they had their first date at Papa Calveti’s in 1981. He famously “broke” several desks to inch closer to Anne in a sophomore political science class in order to secure that first date. Vince and Anne married at St. John’s Church on Creighton’s campus in 1987. Together they raised four children and shared almost 39 wonderful years of marriage together. Regardless of all life’s ups and downs, they always had fun being together and making each other laugh.

Vince prioritized his wife and children above everything else and cherished his time with them. He somehow managed to work tirelessly to provide for his family, all while making time to coach his kids’ sports teams, travel with Anne, spend time with their friends, and pursue his many interests. Vince’s faith was integral in his life, particularly the Jesuit influences. Vince truly embodied what it means to live as a man for others.

Vince practiced law in Missouri and Kansas for almost 40 years, first at Niewald Waldeck and Brown, where he became partner, and later at his own law firm, The Law Office of Vincent F. O’Flaherty. He was dedicated to the craft of law and litigation, and he was known for not only the quality of his work, but his love of it. He didn’t choose his words in order to gain people’s respect, but he had a way of gaining people’s respect based on what he said and how he said it.

Vince loved the outdoors, whether it was in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, Colorado, and Vermont, the beaches of Delaware, Florida, and the Virgin Islands, or his beloved cabins in Adrian, MO, and Blue Eye, AR. Vince especially enjoyed sharing these adventures with family and friends. He often said that two of the places he felt closest to God were at the Grotto he built in Adrian and on the creek in Blue Eye. Vince considered his two trips to Ireland with friends and family as trips of a lifetime, especially to the family farm in Slievenamon. He loved a good sunset.

Vince was a true renaissance man who always wanted to learn something new – as a young adult he loved pottery, studied American history, competed in triathlons, learned to sail on Missouri lakes, won a Guinness Irish toast contest, fly fished, played competitive tennis, and entrenched himself in the local Kansas City and Adrian communities. He and Anne were avid concertgoers (local shows or far off music festivals), especially after their children were grown.

Later in life, Vince became a yoga enthusiast, amateur farmer and tractor driver, Adrian Bank board member, wood worker, piano student, cold plunger, and paddle tennis player. He loved accessing his creative side in honor of his mother and grandmother.

Vince often said the greatest gift he gave his children was a Catholic education, including degrees from Jesuit Universities for all four kids. He encouraged his children to travel and explore the world, always making sure to visit often and get to know the many places they lived. He embraced his children’s spouses as his own and was much more than just an in-law. For the last 11 years, he cherished his role as grandfather, or “Chief,” as his grandkids so fondly call him. He was a regular presence at many of their sport games, musical performances, and school pickups. He shared with them his wit and silliness and always made sure they had a healthy dose of gummies and cheetos. They will all miss his familiar “Hey, beautiful” greeting.

In addition to his wife and three siblings, Vince is survived by his four children and their spouses, Kate (Alex) Chase, Jack (Annie) O’Flaherty, Cecilia (Lily) O’Flaherty, and Luke (Clara) O’Flaherty, six grandchildren, Luna Chase, Oliver Chase, August O’Flaherty, Martie O’Flaherty, Cronan O’Flaherty, and Rylan O’Flaherty. He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Barbara O’Flaherty.

His family is heartbroken by their loss, but so grateful for the time they had with Vince and proud of the life he lived.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00pm on Thursday, August 13th at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 815 E Meyer Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64131. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am, Friday, August 14th, also at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Please feel free to add a little green to your funeral attire - Vince’s favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who wish make a memorial donation to scholarship funds established in honor of Vince at Rockhurst High School and St. Teresa’s Academy. Information for these scholarships will be updated shortly on this site.