Edward D. Mackler, M.D., 90, husband of the late Isabelle (Dobbs) Mackler, died Saturday December 17, 2011 at St. Luke's Hospital. He is survived by his children, Edward Mackler, Jr. of Dartmouth, Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Mackler of Dartmouth, Mr. and Mrs. David Mackler of Los Angeles and Lauren Mackler of Newton. He is also survived by eight grandchildren.
The son of the late David Mackler, M.D. and the late Beatrice (Mills) Mackler, Dr. Mackler lived in New Bedford before relocating to Dartmouth in 1992. He was a graduate of New Bedford High School (1938) and the University of Florida (1942). He graduated from Tufts Medical School in 1945 and interned at St. Luke's Hospital from 1945-1946. Dr. Mackler served as Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1946-1948 and opened his medical practice in New Bedford in 1948. A dedicated physician for nearly sixty years, he retired in 2007.
Dr. Mackler was an active community leader and received the Massachusetts Senate Lifetime Achievement Award for his community service. He served as President of Southeastern Massachusetts Shriners Club, New Bedford Medical Society, Bristol South Medical Society and the Country Club of New Bedford. He was a long standing staff member of St. Luke's Hospital, where he was former chairman of Family Practice. Other positions held by Dr. Mackler included Parkwood Hospital Chief of Staff and Medical Director at the Hallmark, Nichols House, Sacred Heart, Kristen Beth and Alden Court Nursing Homes. He was a founder of Pilgrim Healthcare and served as Director of the Pilgrim Foundation. He was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Delta Honorary Pre-Medical Society, American Medical Association, Pilgrim Healthcare Board of Directors, and Abraham Howland, Jr. Lodge A.F. & A.M., where he was a 32nd degree Mason.
A celebration of Dr. Mackler's life will be held on Wednesday at 10 AM at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in New Bedford. Burial will follow at South Dartmouth Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday from 3-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Dr. Mackler's memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.