Los Angeles bids farewell to former Mayor Richard Riordan

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Some of Los Angeles' best known politicians packed the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Friday to bid farewell to former Mayor Richard Riordan.

Riordan held the city's top office for eight years, from 1993 to 2001. He died at his Brentwood home earlier this month at the age of 92. His family says he passed away peacefully.

"He wanted to make a difference and he made a difference. He made a huge difference with his care, his love and support," said Riordan's Pastor Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson during his remarks.

On hand at the memorial service were current Mayor Karen Bass and past mayors Antonio Villaraigosa and James Hahn. Bass honored Riordan as a mayor who knew how to get things done.

"He felt he owed Los Angeles for his success, and he spent his life paying it forward," said Bass. "Mayor Riordan always had a special place in his heart for the children of Los Angeles."

New York born, Riordan moved to California after serving in the Army during the Korean War.

Before getting into politics, Riordan made a fortune as a venture capitalist and L.A. restaurant owner.

"He was the original problem solver," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn. "He didn't really care if you were a Democrat or Republican. He wanted to solve the problems and... that was the business perspective that he brought to politics."

Riordan served as mayor during some of L.A.'s most challenging times. He was tasked with uniting the city in the wake of the Rodney King Riots and rebuilding it following the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

"He not only rallied the private sector to assist in rebuilding the I- 10 freeway and other buildings, but he also assisted us when the city red- tagged the former St. Vibiana's Cathedral in downtown," Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop emeritus of Los Angeles, recalled last week. "He was instrumental in working with County Supervisor Gloria Molina in acquiring the property on Temple Street between Grand Avenue and Hill Street. As he did with all major construction in the city during his eight years, he streamlined the process for permits and inspections which shortened the construction time."

Riordan was the only Republican to be elected mayor in Los Angeles since 1961.

He is survived by his fourth wife Elizabeth, three children, three grandchildren and a sister.

City News Service contributed to this report.