50 Years Ago Our Doors Opened on Alicia Parkway …

January 29, 2026

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50 Years Ago Our Doors Opened on Alicia Parkway …

Joe O’Connor is the 3rd generation of O’Connor family leadership, His vision for the next chapter of the family profession brought the mortuary out of Los Angeles and down into beautiful South Orange County in 1976. When Joe  began construction on this location Alicia Parkway ended at Paseo de Valencia. It was almost a mortuary in the middle-of-nowhere. Just orange groves with the beach out there beyond the rolling hills.

 

Joe O’Connor

50 years has changed our street and our community so much and we have changed with it. In 1976 and for many years after, our funeral arrangers were predominately men. Today, that statistic has almost entirely flipped and women have taken the lead in caring for our families.

…

Over the past 50 years we have …

Served tens of thousands of families in Southern California.
Sponsored and provided quarterly educational workshops to the end-of-life professionals in our community.
Given away an estimated 2 million dollars in educational units to our doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, clergy, bereavement teams and volunteers.

…

Today, the 4th generation of O’Connor family continues to own, operate, and manage the daily services and functions of the mortuary.

Joseph Fitzgerald, CEO & CFO

Charles Ricciardi, President

Featured here are Joe Fitzgerald (left) and Chuck Ricciardi (right), the 4th generation of O’Connor family  While our love and appreciation for both Chuck and Fitz is tremendous these are some *vintage* photos that we just had to share with you all!

 

Their dedication, consistency, integrity and kindness are hallmarks of their leadership. They have cultivated a rich and meaningful chapter in the O’Connor family legacy.

 

If you have been a part of our story in any way, we want to thank you for choosing us and trusting us.  

 

Construction as seen from the middle of our lobby looking out to Alicia Parkway

A view from the far corner of our parking lot looking out toward Alicia Parkway.

 

Thank you for reading and helping us honor 50 years of

Healing Hearts, Inspiring Trust, and Comforting Souls. 

…

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