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William Kois Obituary
Dr. Ed Kois was born at Walter Reed Medical Center on June 1st 1957, to Adam and Nancy Kois. He graduated from Janesville,Wisconsin High School in 1975, got his undergraduate degree from Penn State University in 1979, and received his M.D. from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1983. He completed a physiatry specialty at Tufts New England Medical Center in 1986.
Dr. Kois opened an office in Nashua, New Hampshire, where he practiced for over 25 years and helped many patients.In 2012 Ed began his work for the Manchester VA as a spinal cord specialist in 2012. From the beginning, Dr. Kois worked to improve veterans' medical care. His signature effort for veterans included leading a group of VA physicians to demand better care for our nation's veterans. His efforts received national recognition in 2017, when the Boston Globe Spotlight Team conducted an investigation and published a series of articles on his quest to improve VA patient outcomes. Dr. Kois' efforts led to national media attention and to an invitation from Congress to testify on the quality of care in the VA system.
Ed was a highly skilled woodworker, sailor, inventor, and connoisseur of art. With his wife Pam, he renovated and restored their Greek Revival house, and then the Ceilidh, a 1956 wooden yawl. In 2000, he was profiled in Time Magazine for his invention the Back Balancer, a device which helped to distribute the weight of backpacks. While at Michigan Medical School, he conducted T-cell research which had implications for organ transplant success.
Throughout his career and life, he never stopped trying to help people in any way that he could, eschewing financial and social reward to do what he thought was right. Ed was devoted to his principles . He got his uncompromising attitude from his father, who was an amateur boxer. His patients described him as "a patient's doctor".
Dr. Ed Kois is survived by his wife of 29 years, Pamela Greenley, and their daughter, Sydney Greenley-Kois; his mother, Nancy Kois; his sister Margaret Kois; his sister Janet Connally and her husband Kevin Connally, and nephews Leo, William, and James Connally; his brother George Kois; and his brother Adam Kois and his wife Maria Wanger-Kois, and his nephews Graham and Ian Kois. He was predeceased by his father, Adam Kois.
Family and friends may call from 12:00 to 3:00 PM on Saturday July 27, 2019 at the Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950. Services will be private. THERE IS NO LONGER ANY PARKING AVAILABLE BEHIND THE FUNERAL HOME PER ORDER OF THE CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
For directions or to offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Kois
Andrew Dow
July 20, 2025
He sent me to a specialist when the VA told me to wait until I have paralysis. He saved my life literally. I must say every good thing I accomplished after the day I met him is due to his caring kind soul. We lost a great man and human being the day he passed. He touched so many people. I can´t ever say enough about the man he was a special man who cared about his patients. He took the time to not only treat the body but help the soul. Had many a long conversation with him about life. He cared about our veterans and I never felt like a patient in his office.
Andrew Dow
July 20, 2024
Dr. Lois was a great man truly cared about veterans I owe my life to the man
Andrew Doe
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Andrew Doe
July 20, 2022
Dr. Kois literally saved my life. I´m a DAV. He came into my life as a physician at the Manchester VA Hospital in Manchester. I was having issues with my neck arms an legs. He discovered stenosis in my cervical spine. When the VA refused to send me for an operation he guided me to a friend at the Baptist Hospital in Boston. He helped me get on Medicare and I got one of three operations I needed. The operation prevented me from becoming paralyzed and or dying. One bump or a car accident would have resulted in either outcome. From this surgery I got the ability to have a better quality of life and transition from a disabled veteran sitting on a couch watching television and waiting to die to a more energetic person. Art was something I always was interested in trying. I tried stained glass and went on to become a juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen in that area. I enrolled at New England College Institute of Art and Design and graduated with a BFA in fine art painting and ceramics. I have art hanging in the NH Statehouse visitors center. A state seal carved and painted in glass. I was commissioned to do a state seal on the governors office door in the statehouse which was entirely hand drawn. I graduated with honors and was the 2021 Art and Design Award recipient. Art to me saved my life as it affords me the opportunity to do something productive when I´m having good days. Dr. Kois was a big piece of that puzzle. I had my last surgery after he passed away and was told it would be the final one needed. Most of my cervical spine has either been replaced or fused including rods and screws. I have good days and bad days but I owe all the good ones to this wonderful compassionate man. I know this man is in heaven as he was my guardian angel. Miss you!!!!
Andy Dow
July 20, 2021
Bill was the greatest. I owe my life to his caring and thoughtfulness. He stood up for me when the system wouldn´t and helped me get treatment outside the VA that I desperately needed. I will never forget he was not only my doctor but a friend. Rip Bill and I know you are in heaven.
Zeno Papas
August 5, 2019
Dear Pam & Sydney, We met through a College Time that brought Joy & Friendship,, and now we receive this tragic news. It seems like only yesterday that you all were visiting me . Know that our Love and Memories for the Kois family will always be with. you. We are so sorry for your loss. Love, Zeno & Barb
Janice Sylor
August 3, 2019
I am very sad to hear of DR KOis's passing. I worked with him when he was the case review doctor for the Nashua office or the NH Devision of Vocational Rehabilitation in the early 1990's. I am Glad to lean of his efforts at the vA to improve conditions and and his heading Spinal cord Clinic. Not surprised that he was a whistle blower for the patients he served in Manchester. He always was the patient's doctor first!!
david golden
July 30, 2019
I was very sad to hear about Ed's death. I worked with him at Dartmouth Hitchcock Nashua. He provided med personally with help to avoid back surgery and have been well for 15 years with just PT. He also advised my daughter against back surgery and was correct again.
Ed was a real fighter for the best care for patients and was someone I could talk to about the battle against having business people and insurance companies call the shots.
I encouraged him to work for the VA.
all my best wishes to the family. I am writing from Norway where I live and where medical care is universal right
David Golden MD
Sue Holmes
July 28, 2019
So sad to hear of Ed's passing. He was the best diagnostician in town . (tho he could have used some help with office decor and wardrobe). He always spoke the truth and made sure his patient's were referred to the best. Sincere condolences to this familly.
Paul Nichols
July 27, 2019
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Dr. Kois' sudden passing, and I extend most sincere condolences to his family.
I was a patient of Dr. Kois at the Manchester VA and had many appointments at his clinic during 2014. During those visits and leading to this day, I'm forever grateful to Dr. Kois for his personalized care and expertise in helping me deal with the chronic pain I've lived with since being wounded in Vietnam. I consider Dr. Kois as being the best doctor, by far, I've experienced over decades with the VA. His vibrant personality matched his medical expertise, and I have the utmost respect for him.
Dr. Kois was very excited about the home he was having built in northern NH. I hope that he and his family spent many relaxing times there.
Peace to you, Dr. Kois
July 27, 2019
Dr. Kois you will be deeply missed. It was a great pleasure working with you. Saddened about your passing.
Andy Dow
July 27, 2019
I was not just a patient to William I was a friend. I met him 6 years ago for a pain in my neck. He immediately ordered a full X-ray and mri screening. If he didn't one bump or fall would have resulted in neck dow paralysis or death. He sent me to the Boston VA and they refused to operate until I showed signs of paralysis. Dr. Koi's gave me the name of a doctor in Boston at the Baptist Hospital and I used my own insurance even though I was diagnosed by the Army and disability rated for my degenerating spine condition. I served in Iraq and was exposed to burn dumpsters and a duty location that was built upon a chemical waste dump. When it rained chemicals would ooze out of the ground. William went around the VA red tape and saved my life from years of agonizing pain and possible death by accident or suicide. He loved his veterans and I include myself in the group that loved him back. God opens the gates very wide for this honorable soul. My deepest condolences for his family. William will always have a place in my heart. We spent most of the appointments talking about art. I spent years in bed suffering and after my operations replacing most of my cervical spine I started doing art. I'm now a juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen and an art student at NHIA. My disabilities do not afford me gainful employment but when I'm up to it art gives me the opportunity to be productive. I owe that to DR. Willian E. Kois. As one of many whose life he has made better I close by saying Rest In Peace DOC Koi's!
merton King
July 26, 2019
I have been a patient of Dr. Kois for several years, at the VA. He was one of a few that seemed to care alot for his patients. He will be missed alot.
Ginny Masse
July 26, 2019
Pam,Sydney and family- I am very sad of your loss. He's a great loss to our VA family and all the veterans he took care of. I won't forget his infectious laugh. I hope all your great memories keep you strong. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love Ginny
Thomas Zyliak
July 26, 2019
I was a patient of Dr. Kois for many years in the Spinal Cord Clinic at the Manchester, VA. We always had a good laugh together during my appointments due to silly or stange things I had done in the military and civilian life and still able to walk and talk about it.
I will miss him very much.
~GOD BLESS DR. KOIS~
Craig Salvucci
July 26, 2019
I was a patient of Dr. Kois when he had his practice in Nashua. Interestingly enough I'm dealing with my hip issues again/still and was reviewing his in depth written analysis of my condition just last week with my doctor. I'm stunned at the notice of him passing. My deepest sympathy, he was a caring man.
Deborah Sampson
July 26, 2019
I worked with Ed in Nashua and have always remembered his integrity, compassion, and clinical excellence and his example of advocating for patients' care even when it wasn't a popular stance within the health system power structure. Every time I take my spouse to the Manchester VA and he receives excellent care, I know we have Ed, in great part, to thank. We have lost a great professional.
Margaret Caudill Slosberg
July 25, 2019
What a very, very sad loss for family, friends, colleagues and patients. We have so many wonderful memories and stories to tell but will never have as many as Ed had! I worked with Ed for many years and had so much respect for his compassion and dedication to patient care. He will remain one of the best men I have ever had the good fortune to know.
Rick Nelson
July 25, 2019
Our deepest and most sincere condolences to Pam & Sydney, their extended family and also to Ed's colleagues and legion of friends upon learning of his untimely passing. Ed was a true Renaissance man who lived life on his terms. He will be missed.
Rick & Shirley (next door neighbors)
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