SUNAPEE, NH — Dr. Paul R. Courant, 84 of Sunapee, NH and Vero Beach, FL, formerly of Carlisle, MA, passed away December 23rd from Covid-19, following a long valiant battle with Alzheimer’s.
Born and raised in Gloucester, MA, son of the late Dr. Reginald and Elizabeth Courant. He spent his childhood in Gloucester and maintained many of his closest lifelong friends. Following in his father’s footsteps, he attended Tufts University, where he met and married his college sweetheart Madeline “Lyn” Cray. Paul went on to receive his DMD at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, worked for NIH at the University of Kentucky in research and periodontology and developed a thriving periodontal practice in Chelmsford, MA. He would tell you “if you’ve got’em, floss’em.”
A loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather and uncle, his greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. They raised their children in Carlisle, MA, where he enjoyed working in the yard and playing tennis. Known for his humor, many hobbies, creativity, love of music, sailing, reverence for science and nature, he built many personal and caring relationships throughout his life. Later they went on to enjoy warmer winters in Vero Beach, FL, where he continued an active life playing tennis and exploring art, in retirement.
Paul is survived by his wife Lyn with whom he shared 62 years of marriage, his children; Lyann Courant Collins and her husband Michael of Irvine, CA, Eben Cray Courant of Newbury, NH, Elizabeth Carroll Courant and her partner Edward Doyle of Newbury, NH, Catherine Courant Taylor and her husband Peter of Glencoe, IL and 9 cherished grandchildren; Eben, Paul, Peter and Neil Collins, Anthony, Francis and Rose Courant, and Cray and Madeline Taylor. He is also survived by his sisters, Virginia (Tunney) Hayward and Marie (Courant) Powers, as well many nieces and nephews.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dr. Elizabeth (Courant) and husband Dr. Donald Klemer, brothers-in-law; Mr. Thomas Tunney, Dr. James Hayward and Dr. Walter Powers, in-laws Mrs. Catherine and Mr. Eugene Cray, Mrs. Barbara (Cray) and Mr. Charles Spallino, Mrs. Katherine (Cray) and Mr. Thomas Fitzgerald and Mrs. Patricia and Mr. Paul Cray.
He was grateful to his team of caregivers at the Memory Care Community at Sunapee Cove Assisted Living and the Lake Sunapee VNA Hospice.
In keeping with his wishes, a burial at sea and celebration of life is to be planned for family and friends at a later date. Any donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association at http://www.alz.org