Dr. Paul Hollis Cochrane

Dr. Paul Hollis Cochrane, 69, of Hyannis, MA passed away on November 26, 2022 after struggling with his health over the past year. Paul was an accomplished life-long learner and healer whose main motivation centered not on financial gain but on helping people and making their lives better. He was a trained optometrist, chiropractor, osteopathic doctor, acupuncturist, minister, and even a martial artist.

Paul Cochrane was born on October 23, 1953 in Brighton, MA to Bernadette Abbott Cochrane and Joseph Cochrane. While his early years were spent with his parents and sisters in Watertown, MA, his later childhood and teen years were spent in Arlington, MA under the care of his dear aunts. At Arlington High School he was a star track athlete – earning the school record in the triple jump.

After High School Paul attended Tufts University but later transferred to UMASS Boston to complete his bachelors of arts in 1974. He then enrolled in the New England College of Optometry in Boston where he graduated in 1979. He went on to open an optometry practice in Arlington, MA.

At about that time he met and married his first wife, Meryle Cochrane and went on to adopt her son and daughter. Subsequently, he and Meryle had two more daughters.

Paul was person who followed his dreams to become a healer and went back to school to become a chiropractor, earning his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. Soon after, he pursued his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1993 and then went on to complete his training in West Virginia. While traveling to achieve his goals he still maintained support of his family – attending games, coaching basketball, and helping with homework whenever he could.

Throughout his life, Paul valued taking care of his family. He cared for his elderly aunts who pre-deceased him– Elizabeth Cochrane, Catherine Gethings and Helen Cochrane through much of his life, bringing them to St. Agnes Catholic Church each Sunday and helping them with their healthcare.

After twenty years of marriage, Paul and Meryle parted ways and Paul remarried Dorian Cochrane of Hyannis, MA where he went on to be a step-father. In Hyannis, Paul loved being by the ocean and he lived many happy years being a doctor in the community including Hyannis Medical Center, the practice he opened and operated from 2007-2018 with his wife. In 2010, Paul earned a PhD in pastoral ministry. Most recently, from 2019-2021 he was providing medical care at Bridgewater State Hospital.

Paul is survived by his wife, Dorian Cochrane of Hyannis, MA; children; Greg Cochrane of Plaistow, NH, Jennifer Cochrane of Tyngsboro, MA, Amanda Cochrane of St. Johnsbury, VT, Casey Cochrane of Worcester, MA and Katy Kim of Chesapeake, VA, his sister; Janet Cochrane Nelson of Orinda, CA as well as 8 grandchildren, two nephews, a niece, many Abbott cousins and two beloved cats. He was predeceased by his sister Carolyn E. Cochrane, his parents and Cochrane aunts.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 10 AM at St. Francis Xavier Church, 347 South St., Hyannis, MA 02601. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Umbrella Inc., 1330 Main St. St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.