Patrick Joseph "Pj" Lenihan

PJ Lenihan, (born Patrick Joseph in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1949), was a man of adventure and a man of optimism. He grew up in Williamsburg, where he became an Eagle Scout at 13. With his scout master, Robert Gates (who would become Secretary of Defense) the troop trekked in the mountains of New Mexico and canoed in lakes from Minnesota into Canada. James Blair High School's class of 1967 in Williamsburg had formed strong bonds which led to a joyous 50th reunion in 2017 for PJ.
He studied history at UVA, but chose a career where he could be out-of-doors. He helped beautify Winston-Salem for 30 years in the turf grass business as well as volunteering every year to plant trees and clean creeks. He loved excitement - scuba diving, whitewater rafting, and driving motorcycles and sports cars.
After retirement, he and his wife, Brenda, travelled through Europe and in addition to sampling the local food, there was always a car museum in the area that had to be visited. They shared a love of history and gardens. They got engaged while in Key West during a hurricane.
At one time PJ belonged to five British car clubs. For several years he drove from coast to coast in his MGB-GT, together with other LBC (little British cars) aficionados. Across the country, PJ and his car buddies were aided and abetted by local car clubs where he met lifelong friends.
More than his adventures, he deeply loved his grandchildren. The first grandchild, Eli, was the first to call him "Silly Grandpa" and the other four, Max, Hazel, Beau and Quince, followed suit, but shortened his nickname to "Silly".
PJ was thrilled because he had always wanted to be the grandpa who could play games and tumble on the floor with the kids. The five grandchildren live on the west coast, together with their much-loved parents, Michael Lenihan and Beverly Flichman, (Calif.), Brian Lenihan and Amanda Camaret (Ore.) and Kevin Lenihan and Dawn Rostad (Ore.).
When he became ill in 2019, he was overwhelmed with loving messages and prayers. His spirits were sustained by car friends and Williamsburg friends, in particular, who rallied around him. During the four years of his illness, he was supported and celebrated for his unfailing zest for life. `He was a caring, warm, witty, generous and loyal friend and had unconditional love for his family. He had a natural propensity for service.
PJ is survived by his wife, Brenda Penney, to whom he proposed marriage within two weeks after they met in 2001; his three children and five grandchildren, his sister, Sue Faulkner, his brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Judy Lenihan, his nephew, Justin Basdikis, and his bonus daughter, Emily Penney.
There will be a private family service to celebrate his life. If desired, gifts can be made to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, or Trellis Hospice and Supportive Care in Winston-Salem.The family is grateful to his caretakers; special friends, Dick and Beth Lunney; Jean and Rick Ingram; Ron and Lori Hassels, Daryl Siefert, and many, many generous and caring West End neighbors, some of whom had first met PJ tinkering underneath his cars in his driveway. PJ died peacefully at home on Thursday, May 11, 2023, and has donated his body to Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Condolences may be made online at www.salemfh.com.