Thomas Anthony O’Sullivan

Thomas Anthony O’Sullivan

March 25, 1926 - April 01, 2009

Thomas Anthony O’Sullivan

March 25, 1926 - April 01, 2009

Obituary

Dr. Thomas A. ‘Tony’ O’Sullivan was a beloved obstetrician who delivered over 6, 000 babies during his career, primarily at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange and at UC Irvine Medical Center.

Born in Crook in the north of England on March 25, 1926 to Michael J. O’Sullivan of Conemara, Ireland and Evelyn Hannigan of Muzik, Pennsylvania, he was the youngest of their three children. From the age of nine, he attended boarding school at St. Joseph’s College in Dumfries, Scotland where he excelled in academics and athletics. He graduated from medical school at King’s College, University of Durham, England in 1949. He completed his OB/GYN specialty training at hospitals in San Diego, San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Oshawa, Canada.

In 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Captain and was stationed at the 16th Field Hospital in Nuremberg, Germany. There he met and married the love of his life, Carolyn Roberts, a beautiful nurse from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1956, they returned to civilian life and settled in southern California. They raised a family of six children in Cowan Heights, Santa Ana and then moved to Mission Viejo.

In addition to almost 30 years in private practice, Dr. O’Sullivan held a variety of other positions including: Clinical Professor at UC Irvine, Ships Doctor for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Medical Director of the Laguna Beach Community Clinic and Director General of Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, a maternity hospital serving Palestinian women.

He had many interests outside of medicine. He sang in the choir at Santiago de Campostella parish for 18 years. He was proud of his Irish heritage and led the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Santa Ana in the 1970s. An avid reader, he loved poetry and could recite entire passages from memory. He enjoyed painting, music and travel and never took for granted the natural beauty of California. A charismatic patriarch known affectionately as ‘Popa’ he regaled his 17 grandchildren with tales of his own youthful escapades. He cherished his family and friends and especially his wife of 53 years, Carolyn, with whom he had a wonderful life.

Dr. O’Sullivan is survived by his sister, Evelyn Aykroyd of England; his wife Carolyn; his six children, Maureen, Tim, Michael, Teresa, Danny and Meghan; his three sons-in-law Laurence Pierce, Ed Smith and John Katzman; his three daughters-in-law Christine, Heather and Kelly; his seventeen grandchildren Alex, Ben, Conor, Brittany, Katie, Joseph, Timothy, Dillon, Zachary, Jacob, Rachel, Patrick, Mary Kate, Finn, Seamus, Danny and Libby, and too many friends to name.

Funeral Mass will be held at Santiago de Campostela, Tuesday April 7, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fr. Marc’s Orphanage in Haiti Theo’s Work, Inc. 25422 Trabuco Rd., Suite 105-362, Lake Forest, CA 92630.

O’Connor Mortuary, 949 581-4300
www.oconnormortuary.com

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31 responses to Thomas Anthony O’Sullivan

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  1. We are all better people for knowing popa, all the Love that he shared was incredible. He will always remain in our hearts forever. Christine O’Sullivan

  2. Farewell Dr. O,

    May God be with you always on your final journey.

    You touched lives in ways you never knew–and I am a better person for having known you.

    Your friend and colleague, Diana

  3. We are so sorry for you great loss. We are also honored to have known & talked to him. What a wonderful life he had. He will be missed.

  4. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  5. Dear Lynn,
    Saw the obit in the LA times today
    and am so sorry for you and the kids. I have many fond memories of the days in Tustin, Tony delivered
    two of my boys. He was a great doctor and a credit to the profession. I remember the last time I saw him at the convalescent hosp. in Orange.
    Terri and I offer our condolences
    in this loss.

    Bob

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