Dr. Joseph Hoffman Edgar Jr.

Cape Elizabeth - Joseph H Edgar, Jr. MD, 86, passed away on January 9, 2019 at Falmouth By the Sea, Falmouth, Maine, his temporary home for the past 7 years. Joe and his family resided in Cape Elizabeth for the past 50 years. His parents were Joseph H. Edgar, Sr and Elizabeth L. Voorhees of Newton, New Jersey. Joe was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the eldest of 3 brothers, grew up in the neighboring town of Highland Park, New Jersey. He spent his summers at BSA scout camp or their summer cottage in Lavallette , New Jersey. He graduated from Highland Park, HS receiving the Eagle Scout Order of the Arrow. He attended Rutgers University, received BS in Political Science in 1954 and after the Army returned to Rutgers to earn a Pre-Med degree in ‘56-’58. He served in ROTC at Rutgers and for 2 years as Lt. US Army, Augsburg, Germany. The much talked about summer of 1958, he spent as a timber-cruiser for the Forest Service in Kootenai National Forest, Libby, Montana. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Philadelphia, Pa. in 1963. Served as rotating Intern at Philadelphia General Hospital. There he met his wife Jeri A. Dyer, graduate of PGH, while she working as a staff nurse. A family tradition began when, Joe’s grandfather, while a PGH Intern in 1895, met Joe’s grandmother, also PGH nursing school graduate, working as a staff nurse. Joe’s mother was a graduate of PGH in 1932. Both Joe and Jeri’s families were from northern New Jersey, they married in Basking Ridge, New Jersey in 1963. After 3 years in Internal Medicine at the Veterans Administrations Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. They moved to Portland, Maine in 1967, training in Cardiology at Maine Medical Center with Dr. Harold Osher.

In 1968 Joe and Harold Osher, MD were funded by the Public Service Act, to help Maine hospitals lacking resources to staff a coronary care unit (CCU). They established training programs for physicians & nurses in the new methodology of heart monitoring and coronary care. They assisted in the design and instrumentation of community hospital CCU’s, throughout the State of Maine.

A cooperative-coronary- system was a first, serving as a model for similar systems in Maine and many other states. The unique support system transmitted through Bell dataphones, community hospital CCU monitors to Maine Medical Center monitors, with voice communication. The remote monitoring process enabled MMC to provide on-demand diagnostic and therapeutic support to outlying hospitals for the large State of Maine. Joe had a private practice in Internal Medicine and Cardiology for 30 yrs. In Portland, Me. He served as President of the Maine division of the American Heart Association and continued throughout his career to train professionals in advance life support.

He has 3 grown sons, Michael, Joe III, and Andrew. Jeri is a retired nurse who has many volunteer interests. Jeri dedicated herself to Joe’s recovery since his stroke 2012. He is survived by his wife Jeri, son Michael his wife Carlyn, grandson Justin, sons Joe III and Andrew. Joe’s brother James & wife Pat, nephew John Mario Edgar, nieces Eve, Eric and Mia. Kim, John, Maggie and JD, nephew Jamie, Noah and Mary. Dianne Bozarth mother of Eve, Kim & Jamie. Cousins Bruce Kapp and Linda, Kirsten & Matthew, Betsy Kapp, Harry and Anne Voorhees, Simon & Michaela. Fred, Cindy and Carmine Matero of Bernardsville, New Jersey.

Joe and 5 friends started Lamaze Childbirth Education in the 1970’s providing Lamaze childbirth instruction and LA Leche education in Portland, Me. He enjoyed being a host on the Downeaster train, a Monhegan Lighthouse tour guide, Portland Headlight host, creating needlepoint and upholstery for St. Luke’s Cathedral Kneeler Guild, Turner Pond Club, fishing in Maine and Iceland, camping in BVI, skiing, sailing and gardening his 100’s of Rhododendron blossoms. He enjoyed many woodworking projects. They celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary recently. A Celebration of Life for Joe will be held on Friday, January 18, 2019 at 4 pm at St. Luke’s Cathedral, 143 State St. Portland, Me 04103. A reception will follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, please send a remembrance to your favorite charity.

You may offer your condolences or share your memories at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com