Philip S. Cifarelli, M.D., J.D., (1935-2008)

The Cifarelli Law Firm, LLP traces its roots to the Law Offices of Dr. Philip S. Cifarelli, M.D., J.D., opened in 1979. Although Dr. Cifarelli retired from the active practice of plaintiff's personal injury and medical malpractice litigation in 1997, he continued to work with the firm in an "of-counsel" capacity until shortly before his death and maintained an active legal practice devoted to bioethical issues representing physicians in matters with hospitals and the medical board. Dr. Cifarelli passed away in April of 2008. His official obituary follows:

"Dr. Philip S. Cifarelli, one of the first practicing physician-attorneys in Orange County, a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army and a beloved father and grandfather, died on April 2, 2008, from complications of advanced lung cancer at his home in Orange, California. He was 72 years old.

Dr. Cifarelli was born in his parent's New York City home on July 18, 1935. The son of an Italian immigrant father, Dr. Cifarelli spent his youth in Jackson Heights, New York. As a teenager he entered the men's Golden Gloves boxing league where he earned a strong winning record over a short boxing career in which he was never knocked down and lost only one bout.

Dr. Cifarelli's true calling and passion was education. He studied Biology at Long Island University while working nights as an attendant at the famed Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, where he developed a life-long love of opera. He excelled in school and earned honors for academic achievement including a Departmental Medal in Biology, presented to him by William Zeckendorf, Sr. representing the Highest Grade Point Average in Biology during his college studies. He went on to attend medical school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. following his older brother Dr. Nicholas J. Cifarelli. On a visit home during medical school he met Jean Abitabile, a New York native, whom he later married.

After graduating from Georgetown, Dr. Cifarelli returned to New York City where he practiced medicine for several years, working with well-known New York Physicians including Dr. Philip LoPresti. During this period Dr. Cifarelli, in collaboration with others, became involved testing and developing the gastroscope, the medical device now commonly used to screen patients for colon cancer.

In 1966, recognizing the dire need created by the Vietnam War for physicians in the military, Dr. Cifarelli voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army. He served in Vietnam from 1966 through 1967, attaining the rank of Captain and serving as Chief of Medicine at the 67th Evac. Hospital in Quinon, Vietnam. He was awarded a Bronze Star and a Letter of Commendation for his service during the war.

In December 1970 Dr. Cifarelli moved his wife and four children to California where his medical career flourished. Through the 1970's and 1980's Dr. Cifarelli served as Chief of Medicine and Chief of Staff at several Orange County hospitals including Good Samaritan Hospital in Anaheim. At that time Dr. Cifarelli also began teaching clinical medicine at U.C. Irvine Medical School and at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP). He ultimately attained the rank of full clinical professor at UCI Medical School and at COMP and held those positions until his death. In 1979 he was named in the First Edition of "The Best Doctors of America".

In the mid 1970's Dr. Cifarelli began attending night school at the Western State College of Law, while continuing his busy career as a physician during the day. He passed the bar and began practicing both law and medicine in 1979, becoming one of the first practicing physicians and attorneys in Orange County. He later moved his law practice to Santa Ana and continued to practice law, alongside his two sons, until shortly before his passing.

Dr. Cifarelli's respect and admiration for military service never faded. In 1982 he re-joined the Army, in its reserve unit as a Lt. Colonel. Two years later he attained the rank of full Colonel and continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves Medical Corps through most of the 1990's. During that period he was named Chief of Medicine and later Commander of the 349th General Hospital in Los Angles, a unit called to serve in the Persian Gulf War. He also commanded the 458th MASH Unit and later served as a Consultant to the U.S. Army Surgeon General, obtaining a top secret clearance at the Pentagon. As the millennium arrived Dr. Cifarelli finally retired from the military.

After a short semi-retirement in the late 1990's, Dr. Cifarelli returned to the practice of law around 2000. Dr. Cifarelli also served over 15 years as an Orange County Judge Pro Tem and was a popular figure in the halls and courtrooms of the Orange County Superior Court. Always driven by a love of education and philosophy, Dr. Cifarelli became actively involved with the American College of Legal Medicine, addressing cutting edge issues involving Bio-Ethics and the right to life. He ascended to the rank of President of the American College of Legal Medicine in 2005 and was honored with the organization's Gold Medal for lifetime achievement in March of 2008. Dr. Cifarelli was an avid tennis player and loved traveling. Over his lifetime he visited all corners of the World lecturing on medical-legal and bio-ethics issues to professionals and laymen alike. Dr. Cifarelli was Board Certified in three Medical Specialties. His primary practice was in the sub-specialty of Gastroenterology.

Dr. Cifarelli lost his first wife Jean in 1988. Years later he remarried Barbara and remained married until his death.

Even more than education, Dr. Cifarelli's first great love was family. He remained close with his four children and seven grandchildren throughout his life, practicing law alongside his two sons for years and regularly attending Sunday dinners at his daughters' homes. In addition to his second wife, he is survived by his children: Emilia Longo of Orange, Nina Longo of Corona, Phil Cifarelli of San Juan Capistrano and Tom Cifarelli of Laguna Niguel. He is also survived by his younger brother Dr. Albert V. Cifarelli of New York City, and son in laws John Longo, Ken Longo and daughter-in-law Dr. Lilian Cifarelli. He is also survived by seven grandchildren Candice, Amanda, Jeanine, Alex, Vincent, Michael and Angela."