Hearts, minds in grief

Lolita Harper

Dressed in a tuxedo for a formal dance or posing for a candid shot

with one of his five sisters, the first thing about Carson Chirico to

catch one’s eye was his wide grin.

Dozens of pictures that adorned his memorial at Our Lady Queen of

Angels Church in Corona del Mar on Friday illustrated that.

Our Lady Queen of Angels was filled to capacity Friday morning, as

the community mourned the loss of Chirico and his friend William

“Ben” Dunham who died when their car lost control on the way home

from a Costa Mesa bar. Chirico’s family and friends remembered him as

a smiling, caring man who was fun-loving and active. He loved sports,

from baseball to boating, and participated enthusiastically, loved

ones said.

Glorious music cloaked the sniffling sounds of mourning, as Father

Bill McLaughlin led the memorial service in the sanctuary adorned

with gorgeous flower arrangements. He recalled images of a father and

son, coming to church and sharing their faith.

McLaughlin tried to comfort the audience with promises that

Chirico has moved on to a better place, but also admitted that it is

hard to change the minds and hearts of those in grief.

“We are a people of hope,” McLaughlin said. “When you remember

Carson, remember he is our glimmer of hope.”

“Why,” is the question that was on everyone’s mind, McLaughlin

said.

“It is not our place to ask why,” he said. “We don’t know the will

of God. We only know that Carson graced our lives for these short

years,” McLaughlin said. “He was adored by his family, loved by

friends and liked by everyone. That’s just who he was.”

The Chirico family, father Frank, mother Laurel and sisters: Mia

Chirico, Collette, Kerstin and Rondalyn Kline and Renee Tong, sat in

the front of the church, near the casket of their youngest family

member. Well-wishers greeted them as they came up to take communion

and shared long embraces.

Friends from the salon industry lined the pews, including Rosie

Fuentes and Eric Jansson, who studied alongside Chirico at Paul

Mitchell the School.

Attendees hugged each other frequently and shared tissues.

Others stared lovingly at the memorial program that offered a

collage of some of Chirico’s happiest moments.

Although Chirico graced the lives of so many here, loved ones

should take comfort that he is being taken care of in the afterlife,

McLaughlin said.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled,” McLaughlin said. “Have faith

in God.”

Chirico was laid to rest at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona

del Mar during a burial ceremony immediately following the memorial.

* LOLITA HARPER is a reporter with the Daily Pilot. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4275 or by e-mail at lolita.harper@ latimes.com.