Lenihan, Champion of Open Government, Dies at 71

A champion of open government, a former State Senator and a beloved teacher, mentor and friend, J. Michael Lenihan, has died at 71 after a battle with cancer.

His daughter, Meghan Lenihan said her father died at 9:27 am. on Saturday.

Lenihan was first elected in 1990 and consistently fought for ethics reform during his 20 years of service in the Rhode Island General Assembly. His sponsorship of separation of powers legislation in 2004, along with supporting access to public records, lobbying reforms and other open government initiatives, often put him at odds with some of his fellow legislators, but his courage and commitment was unwavering.

At the same time, those who knew Lenihan more personally would see his tender side, sense of humor, the ease with which he spun a good yarn and infinite love for his family.

“He’s somebody you could do a case study on what it means to be a model legislator,” said Sen. James C. Sheehan, who represents North Kingstown and Narragansett and whose first impression of Lenihan was of a powerful and intimidating “giant of a man” with a red beard and red hair overseeing the Senate Finance Committee.

It didn’t take long for Sheehan to encounter Lenihan’s kindness, however, and the senior Senator soon took Sheehan under his wing and became his mentor.

“Being a very generous man, he wanted to assist me in acclimating me to the Senate,” Sheehan said.

They shared a mutual profession as teachers and while working in a legislature dominated by lawyers, Sheehan said Lenihan taught him that the law doesn’t just belong to lawyers.

Drawing on his ability to communicate, honed by years in front of students in a classroom, Lenihan “was extraordinarily capable of taking on these big issues” while always knowing when to pick his battles.

He never hurled insults or came across as cantankerous, but wasn’t afraid to speak up, notably in 1992 when he carried a 2x4 emblazoned with the word “Voters.”

“He was always a gentleman, he was always well researched and well spoken. When he took on an issue he was well prepared to win the battle, but it was going to be won through civility and good form,” Sheehan said.

Lenihan’s lasting legacy will be his work to fundamentally change the structure of government and to make it more open, transparent and honest. The sum of many pieces of good legislation added up to a career of changing the way business is conducted on Smith Hill.

“The state has lost a champion, a people’s advocate, in the State Senate,” Sheehan said. “It’s easy to have someone like that as your example in life, but when that person passes, you look around the room and there isn’t that great pillar standing next to you -- you realize you’re going to have to reach a little higher.”

Lenihan has left behind giant shoes to fill. Sheehan, who sits in Lenihan’s old office, said he looks down and it’s scary to see how big they are and “how small my feet appear to be.”

The driving force behind Lenihan’s efforts was his love for other people. He loved his wife, Pat Lenihan; he worshipped his daughter and grandchildren; and he loved his friends and the strangers he never got to meet but put ahead of himself as he served his community. Those who knew him understood that it was his love for others that compelled him to work so hard on their behalf.

“You were a remarkable man,” said Tom Coderre, former chief of staff to the Senate President who is now working as a senior advisor for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, in a tribute on Lenihan’s Facebook page, which had been collecting condolences and tributes since the news of his passing on Saturday.

“Your legacy of hard work, uncompromised principles and honesty above all will be lasting reminders to us all what public service should be about,” Coderre wrote. “I sure could use that 2x4 of yours in Washington!”

Lenihan also served on the East Greenwich Planning Board and Town Council before his Senate career.

He taught English in the Scituate school district and influence as a role model extended there naturally.

“I learned so much from him,” said Jennifer Denaro, a former student. “He was always so kind and thoughtful. He had a great impact on a lot of young people’s lives.”

Funeral arrangements are to be announced.