USA: LOS ANGELES: PRIVATE VIGIL HELD FOR FRANK SINATRA

(20 May 1998) English/Nat

Frank Sinatra's gardenia-covered casket was carried into the Good Shepherd Church in Los Angeles for a vigil on Tuesday night.

Generations of Hollywood stars gathered to mourn their friend in a private prelude to Wednesday's final goodbye to Ol' Blue Eyes.

Steve Lawrence and Don Rickles were among pallbearers who met the hearse at the steps of the Roman Catholic Church.

Hollywood stars gathered to pay their respects in a private vigil for Frank Sinatra on Tuesday.

The vigil was carried out at a little Roman Catholic Church in Santa Monica in Los Angeles.

The star died last Thursday of a heart attack.

Some of the arrivals were private, but Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra Junior were seen before the vigil began.

Cardinal Roger Mahony arrived early to preside at the service.

A heart of red roses was taken from the back of the vehicle before the flower-laden casket emerged.

Mourners included Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, Gregory Peck, Kirk Douglas, Eydie Gorme, Mia Farrow, Milton Berle, Connie Stevens, Wayne Newton, Lew Wasserman, Tom Selleck, Paul Anka, Joey Heatherton, Tim Conway, Bob Newhart, Ben Vereen, Ed McMahon, Anthony Quinn, Red Buttons, Marlo Thomas and Angie Dickinson, among
others.

Choirs from St. Cyril of Jerusalem parish in Encino and St. Paul the Apostle parish in Westwood also participated in the service which lasted a little more than an hour.

Some fans also came - even though they could not get in to the church.

Reporters and photographers were kept away.

There were no video or audio hook-ups to the vigil.

Wednesday's funeral and burial will also be private.

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