Dr. L.W. Cooper, 83, of Bar Harbor, died Jan. 29 at MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor. He was born May 24, 1926 in Damariscotta, the son of Winfield and Kathleen (Bubar) Cooper.
Dr. Cooper devoted 40 plus years to MDI Hospital, the people of Bar Harbor and the Mt. Desert Island area. He was a truly gifted physician and surgeon, with a unique sense of humor, razor-sharp wit, wisdom and a common-sense intelligence.
He graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1943, was a member of Bates Navy V12 during WWII, graduated Bowdoin College 1945, Tufts Medical School 1949, and Surgical Post Graduate Maine Medical Center 1951.
Dr. Cooper was a member of the Masons, Chapter, Commandery, Shrine, Jesters, American Medical Association, Maine Medical Association, Hancock County Medical Society, Fellow American College of Surgeons, New England Society Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Society of Gynecology and Laparoscopy, Medical Examiner State of Maine, Warrant Committee Town of Bar Harbor, Staff Mt. Desert Island Hospital, President of Staff, Chief of Surgery, Trustee MDI Hospital, President Hancock County Medical Society, Director of Bar Harbor YMCA, Director Bar Harbor Savings & Loan Association, member of Bar Harbor Police Reserves, Founder and Medical Director MDIH Oncology Service, American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, member of founding group and secretary of Bar Harbor High School Booster Club, member of founding group and secretary of MDI Child Guidance Association, athletic team physician for Portland High School and Bar Harbor High School, initial instructor of American Red Cross First Aid Course in Bar Harbor, co-founder of Medical Associates 1965 and president. The MDI Hospital Operating Room was dedicated to Dr. Cooper in 1993, and the former Medical Associate Building was re-named the Cooper-Gilmore Health Center in 1998.
He was predeceased by his wife, Pauline (MacMackin) Cooper; mother-in-law, Oletha MacMackin; son, Thomas L. Cooper, M.D.; and granddaughter, Lorin Cooper.
Llewellyn is survived by sons, Robert D. Cooper and wife Alice of Bar Harbor, and James W. Cooper and wife Marva of Arizona; daughter, JoAnn C. Sawyer and husband Clifford of Yarmouth; daughter-in-law, Carlene Cooper of Cape Elizabeth; grandchildren, Brooke, Brett, Christian and Andrew Cooper, and Benjamin, Brenton and Kaitlyn Sawyer; one great-granddaughter, Olivia Lorin Cooper; as well as many nieces, nephews; and a beloved companion, Julie Grindle.
Visitation 4-6 p.m., Fri., Feb. 12 at Jordan-Fernald, 48 Eden St., Bar Harbor. Funeral services 2 p.m., Sat., Feb. 13 at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church. Spring interment will be at Ledgelawn Cemetery, Bar Harbor.
Contributions in Dr. Cooper’s memory may be to the MDI Hospital Oncology or Operating Room, P.O. Box 8, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
Condolences may be express at www.jordanfernald.com.