Norah recalls a telling quote: "Sometimes life is just like hockey. If they hit you, you hit them back."
Norah recalls Jim throwing out pennies because he thought they were worthless. "Somewhat prophetic," she quips.
Norah finishes, and takes her seat. Now, his wife, MPP Christine Elliott, and three sons take to the podium.
March 12, 1991 was the most important day in Flaherty's life, says his son, Quinn. That's when his three boys were born.
Quinn says friendship, family, faith, and love guide his family. "We'll take it from here," he concludes.
Galen is up next. Many people knew Flaherty by many names, but he was just Dad to the boys.
"As a kid, I would watch his every move, and sometimes I'd even listen to him." There are two Jims, he says: the relaxed version, and the slightly less relaxed version.
"He was a politician because he loves his country," says Quinn. "He was my father because he showed me what it takes to be a man."
Christine Elliott speaks next. He was "driven, intense, a perfectionist."
"Your father loved you completely. You were the centre of his universe," Christine tells her boys.
"Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Everything is as it was." The opening lines of an Irish prayer Elliott recites.
Elliott concludes, and the family leaves the podium.
Flaherty's friend, Labour Minister Kellie Leitch, now takes to a podium for a reading.
Leitch finishes, presses a hand to Flaherty's flag-draped casket, and takes a seat.
Norah Flaherty speaks about Jim the Brother, not Jim the Finance Minister.
Listening to Jim Flaherty's sister talk about her brother…I'm going to hold my own brother a little tighter in my heart today. #LoveYouScottby Gotta_Be_K_D via twitter 4/16/2014 7:37:52 PM
These Flaherty boys are pretty amazing.by jfarhood via twitter 4/16/2014 7:45:55 PM
I dont know why i'm watching Jim Flaherty's funeral but it is the saddest thing I have ever seenby emilywoodxox via twitter 4/16/2014 7:49:50 PM
I spent my lunch hour watching the state funeral for Jim Flaherty. Tears, smiles, contemplation. "Life means all that it ever meant."by karinhedet via twitter 4/16/2014 8:13:22 PM
I've a habit of quoting the PM only in part, and usually to deride. Not today / Harper's eulogy for Flaherty thestar.com/news/canada/20… #cdnpoliby joyandwoe via twitter 4/16/2014 8:15:12 PM
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