Michael Francis Flaherty, 43, 19-year resident of Palo Alto, died on Aug. 17, 1996 at his home in Grants Pass, Ore. During his school years, he was recognized as an outstanding soccer player and set the Cubberley High School varsity single-game scoring record of five goals. A graduate of Foothill College, he went on to work as an automotive mechanic. In 1984, he moved to Fremont and then to Grants Pass in 1989. Flaherty especially enjoyed soccer, water skiing and dirt bike riding. He was active in youth activities and was a past assistant coach of River City Rockets. He also bowled for the Auto-Maniacs. He is survived by his wife, Marla Flaherty of Grants Pass; his mother, Peggy Flaherty of Mountain View; his father, Tom Flaherty of Mountain View; one daughter, Jamie Flaherty of Grants Pass; one son, Bryan Flaherty of Grants Pass; one sister, Kathy Leonard of Conifer, Colo.; and two brothers, Pat Flaherty of Sunnyvale and Tom Flaherty of Culpeper, Va. Services have been held.