Longtime Local Doctor Cornelius Last Passes Away

Dr. Cornelius “Neil” Adrian Last, the former Chairman of the OB/GYN Department at Arcadia Methodist and a medical practitioner at St. Luke’s and Huntington Hospitals in a career that spanned decades, has died at the age of 90.

Dr. Last opened his own clinic in Pasadena in July 1956. He later bought a small medical office building and formed a partnership with Dr. Ed Parker.

After Parker retired in 1969, Dr. Last joined a medical practice comprised of three other physicians. Dr. Last also decided to transfer to the medical building at 612 Duarte Road in Arcadia.

Dr. Last has served in multiple hospitals in the San Gabriel Valley including Santa Teresita, St. Luke’s, Huntington Memorial and Arcadia Methodist.

Dr. Last was born and raised in Clifton, New Jersey. He graduated from Hahnemann Medical College in 1947.

He transferred to Pasadena the following year, where he met his wife Elsie in November 1950. The couple got married in April 1951 and their marriage lasted for 62 years.

During the Korean War period, Dr. Last was recalled as reciprocity to the army, prompting the couple to transfer to an army post in Big Delta or which is now known as Fort Greely. He rose to the rank of a captain before the army discharged him in 1953.

To return to his medicine practice, Dr. Last took up residency on Obstetrics and Gynecology, his real chosen fields. Dr. Last and Elsie went back to Southern California when he completed his residency three years after.

Dr. Last retired from medicine practice in March 1977 and spent his time on Avocado farming. He also enjoyed playing pinochle and gin rummy, as well as fishing. He admired the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres.

He was survived by his wife Elsie; son, Dale; daughter-in-law, Cleo; grandaughters, Athena and Breana; sisters, Doris Tillman and Betty Flynn; brother-in-laws, Don Tillman and Dick Flynn; nieces, nephews and several close friends. His brother Ronald Last has left him earlier to the afterlife.

The funeral services in honor of Dr. Last will be held at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 1234 Palm Avenue, Beaumont on Tuesday, October 8 at 10:00 a.m. It will be followed  with the burial Riverside National Cemetery at 12:15 p.m.

His memorial service will follow the burial at the South Club House of Sun Lakes Country Club at 5925 Myrtle Beach, Banning.