Funeral Mass was held July 5 at St. Mel Church in Woodland Hills for Msgr. Michael O'Connor, founding pastor and pastor emeritus, who died June 26 at age 96.

One of 12 children born to a devout family in County Kerry, Ireland, Msgr. O'Connor was ordained at St. Patrick's College, Carlow in 1934. His siblings included two priest brothers who also served in the U.S., the late Father Patrick O'Connor (former pastor of St. Cyprian Church in Long Beach) and the late Msgr. John Joseph O'Connor (former executive vice president at Carroll College in Helena, Montana), as well as a sister who became a Sister of Mercy in Carlow.

From 1934 to 1942, he served as an associate pastor at All Souls Church in Alhambra, St. Anselm Church in Los Angeles and Santa Clara Church in Oxnard. Then, during WWII, he became a military chaplain, serving as a lieutenant commander and first maritime chaplain in Avalon, Catalina Island. In 1945, he was transferred to serve at Sheepshead Bay, N.Y., the largest of the maritime training stations at that time.

In 1951, he was the first pastor assigned to St. Cornelius Church in Lakewood and supervised the building of the church, parish school and convent. In 1955, he was named the first pastor of St. Mel Church, overseeing the construction of a complete parish plant requiring the removal of 112 walnut trees.

Those wishing to send condolences to relatives in Boston or Ireland may call St. Mel's parish office, (818) 340-6020, for address information. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.

Timothy 'Ted' Cotter

Funeral Mass will be celebrated July 9, 11 a.m. at St. John Fisher Church, Rancho Palos Verdes, for Timothy "Ted" Cotter, 87, who died July 1 after a short illness in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Born in Lisaree, County Cork, Ireland, on June 11, 1918, Cotter came to the U.S. in 1948 after serving eight years in the Garda SiŽochaŽna (Irish police force), Dublin, and started Cotter Church Supplies, Inc., Los Angeles, which is carried on by sons Timothy, Michael and Patrick.

"His life's work was caring for his wife, children and grandchildren," said his son Timothy. "Hard working and good natured, he always looked forward to a good card game. His humor, story telling and kind mischief will be missed by all."

Predeceased by his daughter Mary Anne Hyche, he is survived by wife Mary Rita, sons Timothy, Daniel, Michael, Patrick, John, Paul, son-in-law John, daughters-in-law Linda, Theresa, Colleen, Denise, Mary, Elizabeth, brother Msgr. Patrick D. Cotter of Australia, numerous nieces and nephews and 13 grandchildren.

A rosary will be held July 8, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. at St. John Fisher Church. Interment will be at Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mary Anne Hyche for breast cancer research to USC/Norris Cancer Center, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, Room 800, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9181, (323) 865-0700, http://ccnt.hsc.usc.edu.