When I saw Dr. Wilfred Cloutier’s picture in the Sun Journal obituary section (March 18), I had to stop what I was doing and pause to take a breath, brought on by sadness, as well as respect.

Thirty three years ago, I went to the St. Mary’s Hospital emergency room, feeling as though I must be dying. I was taken in immediately, but the problem was elusive. Finally, Dr. Cloutier was brought in and very quickly saw the problem, and he went into action. That’s not to say others were remiss in diagnosis, because they were not. The problem was brought to light by a team effort, including Dr. Benjamin Lounsbury and others.

I was seriously ill, but the hospital staff and the great work by Dr. Cloutier pulled me through. It was touch-and-go for me for quite some time. Dr. Cloutier and the staff were absolutely amazing. He gave God the credit, just as his obituary indicated that he liked to do.

I found him to be an amazing man and I know that, without him, I would have been pushing up daisies.

So, here’s to the good doctor, his wife, God and St. Mary’s Hospital.

David Grard, Lewiston