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BORN
1944
DIED
2025
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Pang Kooi Obituary
October 11, 1944 - January 7, 2025
Dr. Pang Lay Kooi, 80, of Auburn, N.Y. died on Tuesday, January 07, 2025 at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He lived with cancer courageously for nearly a decade and passed away peacefully with family at his bedside.
The seventh child of Kooi Kim Khuan and Ng Suan Tee, Lay was born on October 11, 1944 in Kati, Malaysia. His family's support enabled him to attend the prestigious Chung Ling High School in Penang, Malaysia. After graduation, he studied medicine at the Taiwan National Defense Medical Center. He completed further training in Newfoundland, Canada and Hartford, CT. Dr. Kooi was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Over his 50-year career as a General Surgeon, Dr. Kooi compassionately cared for people from all walks of life. He practiced medicine in Seneca Falls, NY, in both a private practice and as the Medical Director of Student Health Services at the former Eisenhower College. In 1978, he established a private practice in Auburn. Throughout his career, he also served as a Chief of Surgery at Auburn Community Hospital, the Medical Director at Auburn Correctional Facility, and the Medical Director at the Cayuga County Jail.
By happy chance, Lay met the love of his life, Linda Borza Kooi, at a library in Syracuse, N.Y. In 1980, they married and went on to have three children: Kimberly, Kerry, and Kristopher. A devoted family man, Lay always made time for his children, whether giving them advice, reviewing their homework, or lending them an ear. While he enjoyed golfing and sailing on Owasco Lake, what he loved most was travelling the world with his wife and children. After retiring in 2017, Lay and Linda moved to Arlington, VA to spend time with their adult children and grandchildren, Callie and August "Gus". Lay enjoyed exploring the Washington DC metro area. He found joy in helping others and the simple moments of everyday life.
Lay is survived by his wife, Linda Borza Kooi; three children, Kimberly Kooi, Kerry (Joshua, husband) Wong, and Kristopher Kooi (Philip Tanedo, partner); two grandchildren, Callie Wong and August Wong; sister, Kooi Siew Pheoy; eight sisters-in-law, Ooi Beng Luan, Lee Tong, Marie Kooi, Hazel Borza, Joyce Borza, Tommie Stickel (Klaus, husband), Theresa Ganley (Timothy Walsh, partner), and Linda Gill (Larry, husband); brother-in-law, Joseph Hirons; and numerous nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kooi Kim Khuan and Ng Suan Tee; five siblings, Kooi Pang Siew, Kooi Pang Chong, Kooi Pang Yong, Kooi Kee Lee, and Kooi Siew Kee (Hwang Eng Pei, husband); and four brothers-in-law, Lim See Eng, Peter Borza, Robert Borza, and Francis Borza.
Calling hours will be held at Murphy Funeral Homes in Arlington, VA on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 9 a.m. A celebration of life will be held in Auburn, N.Y. in Summer 2025.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Pang Kooi
Sponsored by Murphy Funeral Homes - Arlington.
Lynne M. Giovanni
March 5, 2025
Dear Linda- I am so very sorry for this huge loss to your family!!
Hugs and Prayers for each of you!!
Diane McKeon
January 24, 2025
Dear Linda, Kim, Kerry, and Kris,
We are truly sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and father. I remember him coming to Careers Day to speak to the class about his job. He was a huge hit with the surgical gloves he brought and blew up like balloons. May your many happy and loving memories sustain you at this difficult time.
With our deepest heartfelt sympathy,
Mike and Diane McKeon
Linda Harig
January 22, 2025
I had the pleasure of working with Dr Kooi at ACF. Very sweet and caring person he will be missed. My condolences to his wife and family.
Joseph Hirons
January 17, 2025
I am going to miss Lay soo bad. He was a great husband and great Father . He was passionate at his work. He was soo loving to his family. Best brother in law. God bless the Kooi family my prayers are with you always.
Betty Siddall
January 15, 2025
I worked with Dr. Kooi for many years at Auburn Memorial Hospital. He was kind and compassionate and had a delightful sense of humor.
My condolences to his family.
Nancy and Leonard Smith
January 15, 2025
Dear Linda, we are so sorry for you and your family. Lay was a good, kind man and a wonderful doctor. He and you and your beautiful family will always be in our prayers.
Carol RN
January 15, 2025
I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Dr Kooi both at AMH and the Cayuga County Jail. Always supportive, caring and professional. He was a great Dr and equally a great person, he will be missed.
Jerry and Rose Borza
January 15, 2025
Linda, so sorry to hear about the Doc. He was a good and kind man and was there for me when my parents were going through rough times.Hope you and the family are doing ok and will see you this summer.
Dr James Dolan
January 13, 2025
Very sorry to hear of Dr Kooi passing. Condolences to his family.
Joanne Morgan RN
January 13, 2025
Condolences to the family of Dr Kooi. He was a dedicated doctor that I remember as compassionate and caring with his patient´s and always smiling at his time at AMH.
Patti Loveless
January 13, 2025
Dearest Linda and family my heart goes out to all of you . He was a good man . Suzette was there to greet him in heaven .
Barbara Irish Smith
January 12, 2025
To my dear neighbor Linda and family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband Lay. I remember when we moved into the neighborhood you and Lay came to welcome us. That was so kind of you as we were new in the neighborhood.
With deepest sympathy,
Barbara Irish Smith
Linda Mackay RN
January 12, 2025
Sincerest condolences on passing of Dr. Kooi. He was a dedicated, compassionate physician at Auburn Memorial hospital. Good memories.
Peace be with the family.
Joanie Short & Joanne Short
January 12, 2025
So very sorry to read of Dr Koi´s passing. As a fellow staff member, he was well respected for his kind & Respectful personality. He was such a pleasure to work with at Auburn Memorial . We send our condolences to Linda and family.
Barbara Giltner
January 12, 2025
Dr. Kooi was a gentle and kind man. I knew him when I worked at ACF. He will be greatly missed. Condolences to all his loved ones.
Betty Brechue
January 12, 2025
My deepest condolences to Dr. Kooi´s family. He was my surgeon when he practiced in Auburn. We also knew his wife and children from our kids and theirs being at school together. He always so pleasant and smiling. Our loss heavens gain. May he RIP.
Judy Freeman
January 12, 2025
I'm so sorry Linda - deepest sympathy to you and your family. Judy Freeman
Maryanne Festa
January 11, 2025
The familiy members of Dr. Kooi.
Sorry for your loss.
Valerie Zhang (née Smith)
January 11, 2025
My prayers and deepest condolences go out to the Kooi family. I remember you all fondly from growing up at Holy Family Church in Auburn, NY, and Dr. Kooi was always pleasant and kind. I pray that he is now at rest with the Lord, and that you will all find comfort in your time of sorrow.
Mary Lou Petruzzi
January 11, 2025
Linda.....I am sorry for the loss of your husband. Let all the memories and good times you shared help you through this difficult time. Praying for you and all your family.
Mary Lou
Michael O'Sullivan
January 11, 2025
My condolences to the Family. Worked with Dr Kooi at Auburn Prison. I would say to know Dr Kooi mayed you a better person. You will be truly missed. You Sir were a Great Man.
Lisa Sigona
January 11, 2025
To Mrs. Kooi and family:
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Dr. Kooi during my 5 years at the Cayuga County Jail as a Senior Account Clerk Typist. He was always so very kind, compassionate and understanding when needing to dot the i´s and cross the t´s to get paperwork done. He was one of the most professional physicians I have had the pleasure to work with in my career. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. May he be at peace among angels wings watching over his loved ones. God bless.
Ronayne Herbert
January 11, 2025
Dear Linda and Family, I was so sorry to hear of your husband`s passing. He was always very helpful to me in my career, patient, kind and knowledgeable. I know he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Betty LaPlante
January 11, 2025
Dear Linda, I am sorry to learn of the loss of your husband. Sending my sincere condolences to you and your family. Love and prayers,
Betty LaPlante
Bert vanderWerff
January 11, 2025
Dr.Kooi was a great man .it was a pleasure working with you at ACF.my condolences to your family
Theresa (Simkulet) Dutton
January 11, 2025
So sorry for the loss of a good, kind gentleman. I knew Dr Kooi in the early 1980's and that is when I met Linda. He was the best surgeon of our time.
Fly High sir, God Bless.
Theresa Simkulet
Linda Schwartz
January 11, 2025
My sincerest sympathy to the entire family for your loss of a wonderful man. He will be remembered by many for his kindness and strength, forever. RIP Dr. Kooi.
Sylvia Ramsdell
January 11, 2025
I am so very sorry to learn of Lee´s passing....he was a kind and compassionate doctor and a good neighbor. My heart goes out to his family, especially to Linda, whose kindness and compassion was, I am sure, a great comfort.
Mark Cohen
January 11, 2025
A wonderful colleague and a kind, compassionate surgeon, Dr. Kooi was often cited by the medical professionals with whom he worked: "if it's me... Call Dr. Kooi" !
Tish
January 11, 2025
RIP Dr. Kooi
Jeanne Stanton
January 11, 2025
My thoughts and prayers for his family. I worked with Dr. Kooi for many years, he was a kind and compassionate man who cared deeply about his Patients. He was there for me and my family when we had medical needs giving ultimate care and support. Rest peacefully Dr. Kooi, you will be missed.
Anthony Volpe
January 11, 2025
Dr Kooi, after hearing that you have passed, I was truly compelled to say what a generous and wonderful man you were. Having worked with you at ACF, I truly believe many of my fellow officers and civilians alike would all agree that you always treated everyone with kindness and respect.
With that being said, I truly and sincerely send my deepest condolences to The Kooi Family for your loss
Marianne,Greg & Jenna Meyers
January 11, 2025
Linda,
The utmost regards and respect for Dr.Kooi. Sorry for your loss.
Our best to your family
Maria Ashby
January 11, 2025
So sorry for your loss :( He will be missed! He was a nice man and a wonderful family always with him !!
Maria LoCastro Ashby
Anne Borza Crawford
January 11, 2025
I´m lucky and glad to have known Uncle Lay. He was a great man, always so happy and could make me smile. He was good at letting you know he cared about the interaction. You don´t meet many people like him these days. He was a great dr. Of his generation and one of the last that cared about his patients. He will be missed. Sending love and hugs and healing to my aunt and cousins.
Anne
January 11, 2025
Linda and family, sending prayers and condolences at this difficult time.
Tommie Marie Stickel
January 11, 2025
Lin,Kim,Kerry,Kris..I'm sorry about your loss........He was incredible,sweet man..with a great sense of humor..We loved him ..My prayers are with you..love Aunt Tommie Marie
Brian Brown
January 11, 2025
Very sorry to hear of Dr Kooi passing. Condolences to his family.
Joanne Dusel
January 11, 2025
Linda,
So sorry for your loss.
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