RUMFORD – Peter Bernard Aucoin, M.D., 103, died peacefully at the Rumford Community Hospital, on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

He was born on Dec. 14, 1903, in Thomson, Conn., three days before the Wright Brothers flew at Kitty Hawk. Of Canadian descent, he was the first of 12 siblings born in the United States. He was a graduate of the former Assumption Prepatory High School, Class of 1921, and received his B.A. in liberal studies from Assumption College in 1925.

He achieved his medical degree from Leval University, Quebec, Canada in 1933, and thereafter completed his medical internship at Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Conn. A general practitioner and surgeon, from 1937 to 1979 he was a member of the medical staff at the Rumford Community Hospital. He was a past president of the Maine Chapter of American Academy of Family Physicians; a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians; and a member of the American Medical Association, the Maine Medical Association and the Oxford County Society.

He served as a national president of Alumni Association of Assumption Prepatory School, and a national president of Assumption College Alumni Association. He endowed the Pierre Aucoin Scholarship for students from Rumford and Mexico, to be able to attain a higher education.

He was awarded an honorary doctorate of science degree from Assumption College in 1964, for his years of service. He was also elected into the Assumption Athletic Hall of Fame in 1970, for his athletic accomplishments. In 1973, he received the outstanding alumnus of the year award, in recognition of his devotion to the college, as well as for his distinguished service in his field of medicine.

Additionally, the college awarded him the President’s Medal in 1995, and the Centennial Award in 2004. In 2004, he, then age 100, was honored to serve as the commencement speaker for the graduation ceremonies of Assumption College’s centennial class.

Active in his church and community, he was a member of the St. Jean Baptiste Society, the Catholic Order of Forester, the Elks, the Artisans and the Assumption Societies.

He was known for his dedication to his patients, for being a true courtly gentleman, for his compassion toward others and for his infectious sense of humor. His beloved wife, Esther, and daughter, Patricia, predeceased him.

He is survived by his four grandchildren, Renee Aucoin, of Rangeley, Peter E. Rowe, of Gray, Rebecca Rowe-Indich, of Westbrook, Conn. and Adam A. Rowe, of Boston, Mass. He will be missed by all that knew him.