John D. Cogar

John is survived by his wife Marie (Lauer) Cogar, eldest daughter Jennifer Bates (her husband Alex) and three cherished grandchildren, Hadley, Berkley and Ashton, second daughter Courtney Cogar (her husband George Dotterweich) and youngest daughter Jody Cogar; mother of his children Janice (Hutta) Cogar, his brothers Dr. Gary Cogar and Dr. James Cogar, sister Sally (Cogar) Race, several nephews and nieces, as well as beloved friends, community members, and all of the animals he considered an honor and a privilege to care for.

Born on July 11, 1949, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, John was the second of four children to John H. Cogar and Florence (Blackwell) Cogar. As a young child, John and his family relocated to Auburn, New York, where he enjoyed a happy childhood pursuing interests in football and track and field. He graduated from Auburn High School, where he was later inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. Subsequently, he attended the University of Rochester where he met teammates, lifelong friends and his former wife. John lettered as a sophomore in football and track and field, and eventually became the captain of his football team. As a junior, John set records for both carries and yardage gained as a halfback. As a member of the 440 yard relay team, he won the New York State Championship titles in 1969 and 1970. John was also the Eastern US College Champion school record holder and an All American, and was later inducted into the University Of Rochester Hall of fame in 1996. Postgraduate, John attended and graduated from Cornell Veterinary School.

John began practicing veterinary medicine in Newburgh in 1975; however, John’s love of the outdoors and fond childhood memories of vacationing in the Adirondacks beckoned him to Saranac Lake. John practiced in Bloomingdale before opening the High Peaks Animal Hospital in Raybrook in 1989. With few vets in the area with which to share the load, John always made himself available for emergency care. John was widely appreciated for his surgical skills, as well as his compassion for both animals and clients. During this same time period, John embraced the challenge of bobsledding as a member of four US/World Champion teams, including three Olympic trials. John was also a competitive member on the Mountaineer Rugby team, where he earned the title of MVP in the 1981 Can-Am rugby tournament. John, an avid sportsman and outdoor enthusiast, also enjoyed playing tennis, racquetball, hiking, biking, golfing, boating, cross country and downhill skiing, as well as snowshoeing on his beloved property throughout his lifetime.

John and his wife Marie trekked many trails in the National Parks, as well as the British Isles. In their beloved High Peaks, they became Adirondack 46’ers. Love of travel took them to European destinations as well as the British Virgin Islands. In Tortola, they owned a villa at Long Bay Beach, where they were able to develop meaningful relationships with neighbors and friends.

John was a member of St. Eustace Episcopal Church in Lake Placid where he served on the Vestry several times. As a part of his community service, he volunteered as transport for the Lake Placid Food Pantry. In recent years, John was very passionate about supporting families in Ukraine through fundraising and participating in the weekly demonstrations against the war. Ignoring concerns about his own safety, in October 2022, John traveled to Ukraine (within 50 miles of the front line) to provide veterinary care to abandoned or injured animals. He referred to it as the “one of the most meaningful times of his life.”

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 1 to 4 at Mt. Pisgah Snow park in Saranac Lake. Loving tributes of John will be at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Ukrainians abroad or an animal charity of your choice.

John David Cogar lived a life full of service, purpose and passion. While John had a lifelong proclivity towards sports and competition, he had a deeper love for those he grew close to through his competitive endeavors. John left this world with an abundance of accomplishments; however, what he valued most was his time in nature, cherished wife, friends and family, as well as tending to all creatures great and small. His presence was a guiding light to many, and his memory will forever be a blessing.