More Than 1,000 Expected to Attend Funeral for Msgr. Lenihan

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the funeral mass for Msgr. Michael Lenihan, a pastor emeritus of  in Redondo Beach, according to a parishoner Virginia Dargen, who manages the church's website. The service be held Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Tuesday's funeral mass will be followed by a burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.

Lenihan died Wednesday, March 23, at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance after battling a lung and kidney infection. He was 85.

Former Redondo Beach resident John Paul Godges, who grew up in the church, said that although he didn't know Lenihan well, "He always seemed like he was everyone's uncle. He was just a very humble and gentle man."

The youngest of nine children, Lenihan was born Sept. 15, 1925 in Ireland, according to an obituary published by the parish. 

After his ordination in 1952, he served as a priest in Corpus Christi, Texas, before he was reassigned to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles six years later. He served as an associate pastor and then pastor at St. Luke's Parish in Temple City and St. Columbkille's Parish in South Los Angeles. 

Lenihan was named pastor of St. Lawrence Martyr Parish in 1981, where he served for 22 years, and continued to serve as the parish priest after he retired as a pastor in 2003.

Lenihan is survived by his six nephews, his niece and their extended families.

A visitation was held Monday afternoon, followed by a 7 p.m. vigil service, with visitation then continuing until midnight, according to the church.