Doc & Joy Skinner Newman
Doc Born: February 22, 1924 in Ithaca, New York
Doc Died: April 10, 2013
Doc Buried:
Joy Born: December 20, 1927 in Hanover, New Hampshire
Joy Died: February 25, 2007
Joy Buried:
At the age of 14, Doc’s life with animals began. He started working with bovine and equine animals at the Cornell University Veterinary Experimental Farm, where his father worked. Doc delivered his first calf at the age of 15. After high school, he entered Cornell University to study veterinary medicine. His education was interrupted by World War II and the U. S. Army, where he was assigned to the task of being a Mule Skinner. For those unfamiliar with the Military Mule Skinner division, the mule team drivers’ job was to handle the mules transporting artillery, ammunition, food, and medicine. Under enemy fire transported the wounded. Doc was fond of these stubborn creatures long after his military service had ended. He preferred mules over horses.
After the war ended, Doc completed his University Studies in 1946 and began his veterinary career in Windsor, Vermont. Doc and Joy met while she was home for the summer from NYC, where she was a student at The Parsons School of Design. Joy was working in her dad’s pharmacy in Windsor. Doc would go in regularly to pick up medications to treat the animals, and after a few weeks, he got his nerve up to ask Joy out to the movies. Doc proposed two weeks after their first date, but they waited a few months to tell Joy’s parents. They were married in March of 1948 in the Old South Church in Windsor.
In 1949 Doc and Joy moved to Maine, and he worked as an Assistant State Veterinarian in Augusta. Doc was assigned the task of TB testing cattle all over the state. After meeting the farmers in The County, he and Joy moved to Island Falls. They bought a home on Harding Street, as the other house they were looking at was much too large and drafty for a baby (Candace), and Mr. Emerson would not allow a baby to be cold.
Doc established his own practice working out of the house and using the kitchen table to operate for at least 3 years. Joy was not pleased with sharing her table with his animals. By 1953 he had moved his practice into the two-car garage, which he had converted, and had added two additional daughters to the family (Sandra and Darcy). By 1969 they had renovated the garage and opened a more modern animal hospital. By then, a fourth daughter (Heather) had joined the family.
Doc Newman was The County vet serving the area 24/7. Dairy cows were the backbone of his practice. He stated he never wanted to practice “people medicine” as humans are too crazy a critter to deal with. Doc Newman noted there are five rules of veterinary medicine:
- When you treat a sick cow in a pasture, it rains.
- Dogs who never bite always do.
- Every cow is named Susie, and
- Every Dog is named Sam.
- Most injuries are a long way from the heart; therefore, there is no need to worry.
While Doc was occupied with taking care of the animals in The County. Joy worked closely with him managing the business and was very active with the Women’s Fellowship of the Whittier Congregational Church, 4-H, the Meduxnekeag Pony Club, May Mountain Ski Area, as well as enjoying a round of golf, a game of cribbage, and skiing with her friends and family.
Doc’s professional accomplishments include being Chairman of the State Board of Examiners, President of the Maine Veterinary Medical Association, and President of the New England Veterinary Medical Association. Locally he was active as Chairman of the Island Falls High School board, President of the Island Falls Fish and Game Club, Master Mason and member of the Anah Shrine, and a Founding member of the May Mountain Ski Association.