There are two things Larry Cort’s friends, colleagues and admirers need to know.

First, the former Coupeville councilman and planning director made it through brain surgery last Wednesday with flying colors.

Second, his trademark mop of wild hair is intact.

His wife, Lisbeth Cort, sounded overjoyed in a phone call from Swedish Medical Center in Seattle Thursday. She said he was already out of intensive care and was doing great.

“Less than 24 hours after surgery, he’s talking and doing everything,” she said. “It’s fabulous.

“There’s no reason to believe he won’t make a full recovery,” she said.

She said surgeons successfully removed a mass from his brain and it’s being tested to figure out what it is.

The couple knew something was wrong when Larry Cort’s speech had become garbled, his wife explained. They were worried he may have had a small stroke and went to Whidbey General Hospital on Sunday.

He had a brief seizure at the hospital and jerked so hard he broke his shoulder, Lisbeth Cort said.

Doctors found a mass in his brain.

Larry Cort, currently the Oak Harbor city administrator, was transferred to Swedish Medical for surgery, which only required shaving “a tiny little spot on the back of his head,” Lisbeth Cort said.

“He’s still got his wild hair,” she said.

Next, he will have to have surgery to repair his shoulder.

The council meeting was somber Tuesday night with Larry Cort’s absence. Council members took turns wishing him well.

Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley visited Larry Cort at the hospital Wednesday and said the couple appeared to be very optimistic.

Lisbeth Cort said they’ve been overwhelmed with the support from the community.

“Larry and I both appreciate all the love and support,” she said.

It might be awhile before he gets back, but Larry Cort is ever the conscientious leader.

“He said he was glad that he and Doug (Merriman) got the budget gap filled before he left,” Lisbeth Cort said.