The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SENIOR medical figures and colleagues in Grand Bahama yesterday paid tribute to Dr Havard T Cooper Jr, who suffered a fatal heart attack while jet skiing on Saturday.

A father of three, Dr Cooper’s sudden death has left his wife, Alice, distraught and his entire family devastated. “She is not seeing anyone at this time,” said a friend of the family. “This is a very difficult time and they are struggling to deal with what has happened.”

Dr Cooper, 55, had been at a beach picnic with relatives on Fortune Beach. He is believed to have drowned when he was thrown into the water after losing control of the jet ski he was riding. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

The medical community in Grand Bahama is also shocked and saddened by his death. A close colleague and friend described Dr Cooper as a “kind-hearted” individual, who cared about patients and the needy in society.

Dr Paul Ward, Medical Chief of Staff at Grand Bahama Health Services and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Rand Memorial Hospital, said Dr Cooper’s death is a significant and great loss to the medical fraternity and local society.

Shock

“I knew him for more than 30 years; we went to the same medical school and we had a very good relationship, personally and professionally. I am still in shock, it is still hard for me and I have been trying to come to terms with it,” Dr Ward said.

Dr Cooper was an obstetrician and gynaecologist in private practice. Dr Ward said Dr Cooper often assisted the public hospital at no cost, filling in for him whenever he was away at medical conferences and meetings.

“We would help each other out with complex cases and he assisted me with surgery and patient care,” he recalled.

“He was just a very kind-hearted person. I remember our last conversation about some things I had sitting in my garage that I was not using, and he told me about a church programme where the items could be distributed to needy persons.” In addition to his profession as a doctor, Dr Ward said many persons did not know Dr Cooper was involved in a ministry of helping others in the community.

Dr Cooper established an organisation solely dedicated to giving, called the Giving Promotions Network. “Giving improves your health physically, mentally, spiritually, socially and financially,” was a personal saying.

Dr Ward extended sympathies to the Cooper family. He said that friends and colleagues with whom he and Dr Cooper studied at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica and elsewhere, were shocked to learn of his untimely death.

“This is really a big loss to us. Both my wife and I were very shocked. I know that many others feel the same way about his untimely death, but we have to celebrate his life because his years on this earth was well spent; he made a difference on this earth and to humankind and gave a lot of himself to others,” Dr Ward said.

Dr Renee Lockhart said Dr Cooper will be missed in Grand Bahama.

“It was a shock to everyone, and he will be missed especially in Obstetric and Gynaecology because there are so few in that speciality here.

“It is reminder to all of us not only to enjoy our profession, but to enjoy family because I had a colleague (Dr Janakiran) who also died the same way, and sometimes we are so busy with our patients that we sometimes forget to take time and take care for ourselves,” she said.

Saddened

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville also paid tribute to Dr Cooper. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my colleague and friend Dr Havard Cooper.

“This is a blow to the community of Grand Bahama which he served with distinction for many years. On behalf of my wife and I, and indeed the people of Grand Bahama, we wish to extend our condolences to the entire Cooper family and the Bahamas Faith Ministries Freeport family on the passing of a true servant.

“May God comfort and strengthen the Cooper family at this time.”

Dr Cooper received his many medical qualifications at the University 
of the West Indies, 
London, Singapore and Australia.