Myles O'Riordan, of Port Perry, is the new president of the
Ontario Funeral Services Association
Very few young people lay in bed dreaming of becoming a funeral director, so it should come as no surprise that Myles O’Riordan of Port Perry is no exception.
But now, more than 25 years after entering the profession, he hints that the death of his brother when he was only 10 years old and his father five years later, may have subconsciously led him down that path.
In October 2009, Myles was elected President of the Ontario Funeral Services Association, a position, which puts him at the head of a large organization, looking out for the interests of 235 independent funeral homes across the province.
During his one year term, Myles says he will travel to a number of district conferences around Ontario talking with his colleagues.
Myles was born in Toronto, but when he was five years old his family moved to Aurora. When his father passed away, it left Myles, his two sisters and his mother to fend for themselves.
He attended Dr. G.W. Williams High School, and like most young people held down a number of part-time jobs, working at a dry cleaners, gas station, Canadian Tire and the beer outlet.
After graduating from high school, with his heart set on a career in electronic technology, he enrolled in a course at the Radio College of Canada. It didn’t take long for him to realize this wasn’t what he wanted to do for the rest of his life so he made an about turn.
When he heard about an opening in the Funeral Services Education course at Humber College he enrolled, finding the course interesting. His marks were excellent and he was asked to accept an apprenticeship at Marshall Funeral Home in Richmond Hill.
Myles O'Riordan
After the apprenticeship was completed Myles remained with Marshall for another six years, but he knew he wanted to one day own his own business.
It was then that Ward Funeral Homes offered him a job, and the lure of the big city called. For the next two years he worked for Ward in Toronto.
Myles was 30 years old when he spoke to a real estate agent about funeral homes that were for sale in Ontario. He rejected one as being too small, but when Port Perry was mentioned, he jumped at the opportunity.
The Wagg Funeral Home in Port Perry, owned by Harold Wagg, had been on the market for about two years when Myles made an offer to purchase the business.
With the support and a little financial backing from his mother the papers were signed and he became owner of the well established Wagg Funeral Home in August 1990.
“I thought about changing the name, but no one knew the name O’Riordan. In fact many people can’t even pronounce it,” he chuckled. And for that reason he retains the familiar Wagg Funeral Home to this day.
In fact, Myles is very aware of the importance of the history of the funeral home, which has been in operation since 1846. So, when he expanded the business in 1999 and added a new chapel, he named it after former owners McDermott-Panabaker.
Ten years ago Myles went on a blind date, meeting up with a school teacher named Susan Timms. It was obviously love at first sight, for the following year the couple were married.
“It was a real whirlwind,” Myles said. “We met in December, became engaged in February and were married in August.” A year and a half later the couple was blessed with a son, Rory, who was named after Myles’ deceased brother.
Myles O’Riordan is very involved in Port Perry. Not only do he, Susan and Rory live in town, he’s a long-time member and past president of the local Rotary Club, as well as a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Knights of Columbus.
On top of that, every Sunday morning he pulls on his blades and pads and takes to the ice, playing hockey with ‘a bunch of the guys’ at the local arena.
As for the funeral business, Myles feels there is a strong future for smaller independent directors. “We have the ability to make our decisions without having to answer to shareholders and corporations,” he says.
Myles O’Riordan constantly strives to be the best he can to everyone he meets. His attitude shows in the success of his business. Owning and operating a funeral home may seem different from most businesses, but Myles and Susan have made service to the community a priority in their lives.
By Jonathan van Bilsen
Focus on Scugog
Personalities
