Colma Mourns Death of Longtime Proprietor Of Historical Tavern

COLMA (KCBS) - Pints get hoisted regularly at the historical Molloy's Tavern in Colma to toast the memory of someone who has just died. On Friday the toasts were for Lanty Molloy, who with his family, kept the landmark bar alive through three generations.

Molloy's children and countless friends gathered for an Irish wake at the bar on Old Mission Street where his father, Frank Molloy, served alcohol even during Prohibition.

Relatives said Lanty Molloy took over what was at one time known as a grave digger's bar at his father's insistence. He would rather have been a postmaster after his Army service, but instead ran the establishment across from Holy Cross Cemetery until his retirement in 2000.

KCBS' Mark Seelig Reports:

"One of the things he said was, 'If I'm going to run the bar, I'm going to do it my way,'" said Lanty Molloy, Jr., who said Molloy remained involved even after the children took over.

Lanty Molloy Sr. passed away Tuesday at the age of 79 after suffering a heart attack from complications related to back surgery. He leaves behind eight children, 19 grandchildren and countless friends.

"He was a great historian, great father, great teacher, just an all-around good man," said his youngest son, Owen.

Mourners who duck in for a pint are greeted by historic newspapers on every wall. And the bar celebrates Emperor Norton's birthday.

The family came to San Francisco immediately after the 1906 earthquake. The elder Molloy tended bar at the St. Francis Hotel, and opened the first Molloy's in the South of Market area before setting up shop in Colma, where the family plans to carry on.

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