Church members in West Harrison held a special Mass and prayer ceremony Wednesday to honor their longtime choir director, whose body was found in the Long Island Sound Monday night. 

Parishioners at Saint Anthony's Church held the Mass and holy hour to remember Laurence Broderick, a 45-year-old man who was attempting to kayak from Hempstead Harbor, Long Island to Mamaroneck Monday night as the nor'easter was intensifying but didn't make it back.

The Coast Guard recovered his body near Orchard Beach in the Bronx on Tuesday. 

His kayak and personal items were found at Glen Island Beach in New Rochelle. 

Those who knew Broderick said his presence was a blessing to this church community. 

"Whether you were a parishioner who came in here for the first time or you were here for decades, Laurence truly cared about you, and he loved you. And he was not afraid of showing that," said St. Anthony of Padua Church choir member, Jeff Michael. 

The details surrounding Broderick's death remain under investigation. Funeral details haven't been announced yet.