1926 – 2013

AUBURN —  Everard Leaman Cooper, son of Everard and Laliah Cooper, died Saturday, Nov. 30, at Hospice House, after suffering a massive stroke on Monday, Nov. 25. So much loving care, along with grief, tears and laughter, carried him and his family through those days between a tragic happening and his release.

He was born in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, on April 20, 1926. He graduated from high school in Kamloops, British Columbia, and furthered his education at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and University of Alberta, Edmonton, before receiving his degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Ontario (Guelph branch) in 1952.

After graduation he was employed by the Ontario Racing Commission at Standardbred Tracks in Ontario. In the fall of 1952 he decided to go back to British Columbia and worked at a clinic in Kamloops for one year before returning to the east by accepting a position with Dr. E. Russell in Farmington.

After three years with Dr. Russell, he left to establish his private practice with his RN wife, Joan, as his assistant plus secretary, first in Livermore Falls, then in Turner and finally settling to reside and work from his home on Norcross Pond in Chesterville.

He was devoted, not only to treating all those animals that came under his care, but also to sharing with all those owners who became his good friends during his practice in Western Maine. That being said, his devotion to his family was supreme. He was an exceptional husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by daughter, Susan Laliah Cooper Antone, married to Wallace Antone, with children, Jessica Antone Shaw, Leaman Antone, Alecia (Antone) Pineo, Dylan Antone, Bethany (Antone) Pitcher, Isaiah Antone; son, Everard Michael Cooper, married to Susan Schell, with children Everard Cooper and Silas Cooper; daughter, Marnie Parus Cooper Priest, married to Jonathan Priest, with children, Clay Cooper, Elizabeth (Priest) Swihart, Stuart Priest, Matthew Priest, Rosemary Priest; and son Henry Edwin Taylor Cooper, married to Vicki (Garnett) Cooper, with children, Calvin Cooper and Benjamin Cooper. He is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren and his only sibling, Irene Crowson of Kamloops, British Columbia.

He was predeceased by his parents.

Apart from his family and practice, nature was his world: from bird watching with Mr. Preble, to his fascination with snakes and spiders, to his awe of the Arctic and the cosmos. He greatly enjoyed climbing mountains with family and friends, snowshoeing, canoeing, splitting wood and in his later years, exploring his beloved Canada with his wife, Joan.

Tributes and condolences may be shared with his family on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.