Dr. Norman G. Courey, retired physician, professor
Feb. 2, 1930—Aug. 23, 2009
Dr. Norman G. Courey, a retired Buffalo physician, died Sunday while visiting family in San Francisco. He was 79.
Born in Farnham, Quebec, he earned his medical degree in 1955 from McGill University in Montreal. Dr. Courey did his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at both Buffalo General Hospital and Children’s Hospital. He then did a fellowship in gynecological oncology at Roswell Park Memorial Institute.
Dr. Courey served as the chief of gynecology and obstetrics at the Deaconess Hospital from 1965 to 1975 and as chief of gynecology at Erie County Medical Center until 1980.
He practiced obstetrics and gynecology in Western New York for 42 years and delivered thousands of babies. He also was involved in teaching and clinical research in the holistic approach to the health care of women and was a pioneer in laparoscopic surgery.
He authored or co-authored more than 70 scientific articles and book chapters, and lectured internationally in Russia, China, the Philippines and the Middle East. He was on the faculty of the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Dr. Courey retired from the medical school faculty with the rank of professor in 1992 and from his private practice on Grand Island in 1997.
Dr. Courey was a member of many medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists and American Medical Association, and served as the president of the Buffalo Obstetrical and Gynecological Society. He also was a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood, serving as medical director of the Niagara Association for Planned Parenthood for several years.
A resident of Grand Island since 1960, Dr. Courey was active in his community. He served as the president of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce for three years, president of the Grand Island Rotary Club and was a member of the town Republican Committee. In 1965, the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce made him its first Citizen of the Year.
Dr. Courey was an avid boater and longtime member of the Buffalo Launch Club and served as commodore in 1989.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Jeanette Delaney; two sons, Albert and Mark; and a daughter, Jean Brown.
A memorial service will be at 10:30 a. m. Sept. 19 in St. Martin- in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 2587 Baseline Road, Grand Island.