Meet Our Staff

Nicholas Jon Welzenbach

Managing Partner

Nicholas Welzenbach is a second-generation funeral professional. He has been serving families for nearly 20 years.  He began his career in San Diego. He and his wife Kendall relocated to the Bay Area 10 years ago. Nicholas is the Managing Partner of Darling Fischer in Campbell & Los Gatos as well as Los Gatos Memorial Park.  Nicholas is an active member of the community. He serves on the Board for both the Campbell Chamber and the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, the Campbell Veteran Memorial Foundation Board, and is an active Los Gatos Rotarian. 

He and his staff are working daily to care for families, while also working to reinvent funeral service around Celebrations of Life and by helping families find new and unique ways to tell their loved ones stories.  While funeral and cemetery service are his life’s work and passion, what he truly loves is being with his family.  Kendall and Nicholas have a daughter Audrey, and a son Lachlan. His daily work has shown him the true value of every moment.

Jeff Fischer

Funeral Director, Consultant - Marketing & Outreach, FDR#205

Jeff is a former owner of Darling & Fischer and is still active in our business as a funeral director and consultant. His extensive experience and resources help us provide the best possible care and service for every family, every time.

Xuan Nguyen

Office Manager

Xuan immigrated to the United States from Vietnam and has spent most of her life in San Jose, California.  She graduated from Evergreen Valley College with a degree in Accounting.  Xuan started her career in funeral care in 2007 as a side job that grew into a passion.  She was fortunate to have been mentored by (in her own opinion) the best managers and teachers, and truly believe in “doing the right thing, for the right reason, to the right person, all the time.”  Xuan joined Darling & Fischer Family Mortuaries in August 2015 as office manager, supporting our staff in taking care of our families.  Outside of work, hikers will often find Xuan wandering on the many hiking trails that California has to offer.

Mari-Liis Pallo

Funeral Director FDR#4190

Mari-Liis was born in Estonia and relocated to Los Angeles with her family in 2000. After many years of living in the city, she ventured out into the forest and found peace in the Santa Cruz Mountains. She attended University of California, Santa Cruz and obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2014. Right after college, she found joy working at a senior living home in Aptos where she led daily activities and planned outings for the residents in memory care. Mari-Liis joined the Darling & Fischer team in August 2016 and became a licensed funeral director in February 2018. She feels so grateful to be a part of such a caring and compassionate group of people. She is honored to be at this sacred place and is appreciative for all the amazing families she has the privilege of helping. 

Elizabeth Campos

Funeral Arranger

Liz was born and raised in the Bay Area. She has been a part of the funeral profession for four years and a member of Darling-Fischer for two years. Liz loves to spend time with her family. In her free time she is enjoying concerts and movies. Her passion is to help families in need here at Darling-Fischer.

Carlos Fagundes

Ambassador

Greg Trapp

Ambassador

Greg works with his wife Irene as fellow ambassadors, having worked at Darling Fischer for two years. He is a retired police sergeant with San Jose PD and a volunteer pastor at Evergreen Valley Church. He is also active with the Police Chaplaincy and enjoys riding his motorcycle with the Patriot Guard - a group of riders who escort soldiers and their families for various events.  The Trapp's are parents to Ben and Rachael, both recently married. 

Luis Amarante

Ambassador

Dan Fichera

Ambassador

Dan was born and lived his entire life in San Jose except for a few years while in the US Air Force. He returned to San Jose to marry his wife Jan and raised two children Robert and Danyell. He became an integral part of the Bay Area’s technology companies working for Memorex, Amdahl, and Northrup Grumman where he served as programmer, manager, and business systems project management. Towards the end of his career, Dan worked for Adobe Systems, Calpine, Visa, and HP in a variety of technology related positions. Dan retired early only to perform his most meaningful job, caregiver for his ailing parents. Shortly after that, a position with Darling Fischer as Ambassador was accepted and is fully enjoying that line of work for the past 3 ½ years.

Irene Trapp

Ambassador

Irene works with her husband Greg as ambassadors for Darling Fischer. They've been with Darling Fischer for two years now. She is a musician - vocalist and violinist - an actress in local theatre and volunteers with Joni and Friends, a ministry to families affected by disability. Irene also enjoys singing on worship team at Evergreen Valley Church. The Trapp's are parents to Ben and Rachael, both recently married. 

Angelina Coates

Funeral Assistant

Angelina is a native of California.  Originally from Los Angeles, she moved to the Bay Area about 15 years ago with her family.  Those who met Angelina would say that she is a kind soul with the energy level of a marathon runner.  

Angelina joined Darling & Fischer in July 2016 as an ambassador.  Now, she works with our care team to prepare loved ones for their eternal rest. Her love for people translates into her work as she diligently takes care to make sure that dignity is preserved for each and every person that we have the honor to care for. 

Angelina is an active member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  When not at work, she enjoys jogging and spending time with her children.

Cindy White

Ambassador

Connie Oliveira

Ambassador

Connie was born in Pico, Azores. She has lived in the Bay Area for 30 years with her husband.  She has been active in the Portuguese community all of her life.   Connie came to know Darling and Fischer intimately when she lost first her father and then her mother years later.   She has always had a passion for caring for others so it made sense that she would choose to help people during the most difficult of times.  After her personal experience with Darling and Fischer, she was quite impressed with their level of dignity and kindness.  When the opportunity presented itself, she was delighted to become a part of the  Darling & Fischer team.