Harry Lambert (Bert) Filer, Jr., MD passed away on Feb. 20 at Evergreen Woods, North Branford, after a brief illness. He was 95. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joanne (Smith) Filer.
Born on March 24, 1921, in Hammond, Louisiana, to the late Ehrma Lee (Green) and Harry Lambert Filer, he graduated from Hamden High School in 1939. He went on to earn a chemistry degree from DePauw University in 1943 and graduated from the Yale School of Medicine in 1946. He served as a medical officer in the U.S. Army beginning in 1947 and was discharged with the rank of captain in 1949. He was in private practice as a pediatrician for 52 years, retiring in 2003. He was a longtime resident of Hamden before moving to Evergreen Woods in 2004. In 2005, the New Haven Health Department dedicated their children’s clinic in his name with a plaque reading “in grateful appreciation of his many years of outstanding service to the children of the City of New Haven.”
He was an avid sports fan; baseball (Yankees and Mets) and hockey (New York Rangers) were his favorites. He enjoyed reading and listening to talking books and loved swing and big band music.
He is also survived by his five children, Dorothy Lee Scott of Waynesville, Ohio; Jeffrey Filer (Mai) of Glen Burnie, Maryland; Marjorie Fechtor (Sheldon) of Naples, Florida; Donald Filer (Alisa Masterson) of New Haven; and Jane Haritos (Steve) of Guilford. He was the grandfather of Patrick, Martha, John, Richard, Kim Lee, Stephen, Emma, and Kathryn, as well as four great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his first wife Norma (Schwan) Filer and his brother John H. Filer.
The Filer family is grateful to the staff at Evergreen Woods and Home Instead for their compassionate care.
Funeral arrangements are private. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a charity of your choice.
The “Doc” was loved by all.