SAN DIEGO — Father Harold “Hal” Tindall, a retired priest of the Diocese of San Diego, died July 29 at Nazareth House San Diego. He was 91.
Born in South Bend, Ind., he began his studies for the priesthood at St. Francis Seminary in San Diego, from 1972 to 1975, continuing at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, from 1975 to 1978.
He was ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 1978, by then Bishop Leo T. Maher of San Diego.
Father Tindall’s first priestly assignment was as associate pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish in La Mesa. He subsequently served as associate pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in El Cajon, Holy Spirit Parish in San Diego and St. Michael Parish in Poway.
He became a pastor for the first time when he was assigned to St. Charles Borromeo Parish in 1988. He later served as pastor of Queen of Angels Parish in Alpine, beginning in 1990.
Despite retiring on July 1, 1996, Father Tindall continued to minister as a priest.
In the Aug. 7 parish bulletin for St. Gabriel Parish in Poway, Father Michael Froidurot recalled how the retired Father Tindall had come to reside at St. Gabriel’s shortly after Father Froidurot became its pastor.
“Despite being a ‘retired’ priest,” wrote Father Froidurot, “Father Hal spent almost 20 years here at St. Gabriel working tirelessly for our parish. He said many of our Masses each week, participated in ministry, and was an integral part of our community.
“Father Hal will be forever remembered for his deep commitment to community, his love for the Holy Spirit, his ornery sense of humor, and intolerance of perfume,” he added.
Father Tindall’s funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 20 at St. Gabriel Church.
