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

  1. To the entire O’Sullivan Family – You are in our thoughts and prayers. Your family has always held a very special place in our hearts. We will truly miss Dr. O!
    Love, The Thoms Family

  2. Our Dearest Meghan and Family,
    Our hearts and love go out to you and your beautiful family during this difficult time.
    With lots of love,
    Sam, Pam, and kiddos

  3. Teresa, I just wanted you to know that my heart goes out to you and your family. It is always difficult losing a loved one no matter what the circumstance. I hope that you and your family are able to hold on to all the good memories and know that your father is no longer in any type of pain.

    My deepest sympathy,
    Wanda Sanders

  4. Wendy Sabine says:

    My thoughts and prayers are with each of you… What a wonderful life he lived and what a wonderful family he raised. My love to all of you. Wendy

  5. THERE ARE GOOD MEN AND THERE IS GREAT MEN DOC O’SULLIVAN WAS JUST THAT A GREAT MAN MATTER OF FACT A HERO.A MAN FULL OF PASSION AND LOVE FOR FAMILIY AND FRIENDS.HE WAS BLESSED BY GOD TO HAVE BROUGHT SO MANY OF GODS LITTLE ANGELS INTO THIS WORLD AND NOW HE IS WITH GOD
    BUT HIS SPIRIT IS STRONG ITS IN ALL OF US THAT HE HAS TOUCHED HE HAS SET THE BRICKS TO MOTAR ON FAMILIY AND FRIENDS THAT I AM HONERD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF…AND ALWAYS WILL
    BE FOR LIFE.
    WE WILL ALL MISS YOU
    LOVE BILL

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