Obituary of Matthew Lanighan

Matthew C. Lanighan, Ph.D. passed away August 19, 2011 under the loving care of his family and Niagara Hospice. Born in Lockport on June 15, 1934, the son of William R. "Ray" and Marjorie (Comstock) Lanighan, Matt was in the 3rd graduating class from DeSales Catholic High School where he played football. He worked at the post office in Lockport while attending Niagara University, graduating in 1956 with a degree in chemistry. There he met Patricia &amp;quot;Paddy&amp;quot; Smith, who he married at St. John de LaSalle church in Niagara Falls, NY on June 13, 1959. He earned a Master&amp;#39;s in physical chemistry from Niagara in 1965, and a PhD in aquatic biology from the University at Buffalo in 1979. Matt served in the Navy from 1956 until 1959 as an engineering officer on a radar picket ship, the USS Lookout. He worked at Harrison Radiator as a process engineer for a number of years until he joined the staff of the Erie County Public Health Laboratory in 1967. He held the positions of Senior Sanitary Chemist, Assistant Director, and was the Director of the Public Health Laboratory for Erie Country before retiring in 1994. While there he did extensive work on Erie county streams, childhood lead poisoning, and AIDS. He also taught classes in environmental science at Daemen College. An active volunteer his whole life, he was a youth baseball coach, science fair judge, church school teacher and an active scout leader. Summers at Camp Ditmar and the annual Long Lake canoe trip were favorites. He served as a merit badge counselor until a few years ago. Since retiring &amp;quot;Dr. Matt&amp;quot; gave his time to many groups including The Dale Association, where he was involved in many capacities including Chairman of the Board, the Properties Board, and the Income Tax group. He was appointed to the Board of Complete Senior Care, a joint program of The Dale Association and HANCI. Matt is also past president of the St. John&amp;#39;s Parish Council where he was one of the original writers of their charter. In addition to being active with the food pantry, he was a financial advisor for the St. Vincent DePaul Society and served as secretary . In 2001 he was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award &amp;quot;given to honor seniors who make outstanding contributions to the lives of others&amp;quot;, and in 2007 he was presented with the Bette Dale Award for &amp;quot;commitment to the older adult community&amp;quot;. He enjoyed serving as a member of the Niagara County Soil and Water Board and the Niagara County Genealogy Society Board, and was a member of the City of Lockport Fire Board. Matt rarely missed his grandkids&amp;#39; concerts or sporting events and traveled overseas extensively with his wife. A man of many interests, he was an avid reader, bridge player, boogie boarder and wood carver in his later years. Matt is survived by his wife, Patricia "Paddy" Smith Lanighan; father of Kevin W. (Kelly) Lanighan,MD of Williamsville, Timothy B. (Susan) Lanighan of Newfane and Tracy (Ken) Lewandowski of Lockport; grandfather of Sean Matthew, Casey, and Brendan Lanighan of Williamsville, Ryan Patrick (Ashton) Lanighan of Virginia; Michael William, Amy and Bryce Timothy Lanighan of Newfane. He is also the brother of William (Candy) Lanighan of Newfane, Ann Horst of Texas and brother-in-law of Myra (Arthur) Milleville of Niagara Falls. He also leaves several nieces and nephews. Friends may call Friday August 26, 2011 from 4 to 7 PM at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport. Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Mass to be celebrated Saturday morning at 10 o'clock in St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, 168 Chestnut Street, Lockport, NY. It was Matt's wish that his body be donated to the Anatonical Gift Program at the University of Buffalo, memorials in his memory may be made to the International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607-3421, Niagara Hospice, 4676 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094 or The Dale Association Inc., 315 Bewley Bldg., Lockport, NY 14094. <h3>Visitation</h3> Friends may call Friday August 26, 2011 from 4 to 7 PM <h3>Services</h3> Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Mass to be celebrated Saturday morning at 10 o'clock in St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, 168 Chestnut Street, Lockport, NY.