1941-2024 'A BIG LOSS TO COMEDY' JOE FLAHERTY FAMILY AND FAMOUS FRIENDS REMEMBER THE SCTV LEGEND

From the moment Joe Flaherty arrived in Toronto in the early 1970s to launch a national Second City comedy troupe, his legions of fans including those who would become his famous inner circle couldn't stop laughing.

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"At a dinner or an occasion, Joe was the funniest at the table the brightest as well," reminisced Only Murders in the Building star Martin Short, 74, upon learning that his cherished friend and mentor had died at age 82 after a short illness.

Joe's daughter, Gudrun Flaherty, 45, broke the sad news, describing the dad of two as "a kind, sweet soul who blessed all who knew him and those who loved his work." Within minutes, tributes were pouring in from all those he had touched.