William Calvin Cooley

1929 - 2024

William Calvin Cooley

Amherst, MA - William (Bill) Calvin Cooley passed away peacefully on September 14, 2024, after a short illness. He was born on January 17, 1929 in Springfield, MA to Arnold and Etta Cooley.

Bill grew up in poverty during the Great Depression. His father was responsible for Bill's love of golf-teaching him when he was only 7 years old using acorns when they could not afford golf balls. Bill graduated with high honors from American International College in 1950, the first of his family to attend college. He went on to study medicine, graduating from Tufts Medical School in 1954. He served in the Air Force as a flight surgeon, achieving the rank of Captain. While stationed in Honolulu, he met Margo Levitt, the love of his life, and the two married in 1957.

After his military service, Bill completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Manhattan Eye and Ear Infirmary. Bill then moved to Haiti with his family to provide care at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital. There, he completed hundreds of cataract surgeries, restoring vision to individuals who had previously believed they were permanently blind.

Bill moved to Northampton in 1962 where he started his own ophthalmology practice. Later as his practice grew, he was joined by Dr. Bruce Bleiman, who became his partner and close friend. He ran a successful practice for 41 years until his retirement in 2003. When he wasn't at the office, Bill could be found victorious on the tennis court or the golf course.

While building a successful career, Bill was a devoted family man. Bill never tired of Margo's beauty, sense of humor, and delicious cooking. They were known for breaking into song at any moment, and their love story is an inspiration to all who knew them. Bill and Margo had three sons, Jeffery, Robert and David. Bill took great pleasure in supporting his sons on the athletic field and in the theater. He was filled with pride when talking about them. Bill loved to travel and enjoyed trips around the world with his family. Always the trickster, he would hide coins in the sand so his grandchildren would believe they were "doubloons" left by pirates.

Bill's insatiable curiosity led him to audit over 50 courses at Smith College. He studied and became fluent in Italian. His office was filled with books annotated with his notes, and he thoughtfully curated books and articles for those he loved.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Arnold and Etta, his sister, Ruth Lesser, and his beloved son Robert. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margo; his brother Benjamin (Linda); his sons Jeffery and David (Jodi); his nephews Michael (Rhonda), Jonathan (Laurie), and Paul (Erica); his grandchildren Daryl (Maggie), Rebecca, and Tess; his great-granddaughter Cora, and several great-nieces and nephews.

Bill's family would like to thank Dr. Tim Parsons, Cooley Dickenson Hospital, and Hospice of the Fisher Home for providing Bill with exceptional care, particularly at the end of his life. Donations can be made in Bill's honor to Hospice of the Fisher Home.

All those who knew and loved Bill are invited to attend his memorial service on Tuesday, September 17th at 1pm at Congregation B'nai Israel at 253 Prospect Street Northampton, MA.