CSF January 2023: Local News

Father Piers M. Lahey, 1949-2022

‘A true disciple of Christ’

Father Piers M. Lahey died at the St. Andrew Parish rectory on Nov. 28, 2022, at age 73.

The Bay Area native served his entire priestly life of nearly 40 years as a parish priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. He concurrently served as chaplain to the archdiocese’s Restorative Justice Ministry.

Julio Escobar, coordinator of the ministry, called Father Lahey “a true disciple of Christ” who felt a special commitment to those who live on the margins and to all who suffer.

“He wanted to make sure that every person had the dignity of a prayer service at the end of their life,” said Escobar. Even as his health failed, he showed up to anoint crime scenes and comfort grieving families.

Born on May 2, 1949, Piers Lahey graduated from St. Patrick University & Seminary in Menlo Park and was ordained on Dec. 4, 1982.

Father Lahey’s first parish assignment was Star of the Sea Parish in San Francisco. He served St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Novato, two consecutive terms as pastor of Church of the Good Shepherd in Pacifica, and a year at St. Charles Parish in San Carlos. At the time of his death, he was in his second term as pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Daly City.

Catholic Cemeteries director Monica Williams said Father Lahey was well known by the staff of local

funeral directors and cemeteries for his desire to help families with graveside services who did not have a local parish or who might not be currently practicing their faith.

“He kept folders for each person, researching details and stories so he could give a personal and loving homily at the graveside of even people he didn’t know,” said Williams, regarding the services he conducted at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.

He always ended the service, she said, with the reminder that, “We are an Easter people….That is why we affirm that this life is not ended; this life is changed by the God who makes everything, all things, new again.”