Family was absolutely everything to Mr. Cohen, and his true best friend was his wife. The couple shared a bond that transcended the limitations of words. Mr. Cohen believed that family always came first. He fiercely loved his children, creating a special relationship with each one, and was beyond proud of who they became and their accomplishments. He and his wife built a home that was a haven for their children and their friends, and both physically and metaphorically, they left the door unlocked for friends and the greater community to share in their blessings and sought warmth and love.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Cohen was an instrumental force in guiding the Jewish community for decades. He started in Young Leadership of United Jewish Appeal, served on many Jewish agency boards, and went on to become president of the Jewish Community Center, president of the United Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, chair of the United Jewish Appeal Campaign, winner of the Javitch Young Leadership award, and the Albert Hirsh Leadership Award. He recently became the Capital Campaign co-chair for the new Grass Campus for Jewish Life. He believed that others did it for his generation, and he made it his mission to do it for the next generation.
Mr. Cohen attended Penn State University and found joy in cheering on his beloved Penn State Nittany Lions and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also had a penchant for old movies, anything Humphrey Bogart, Jeopardy and loved spending his afternoons reading on his deck. Mr. Cohen loved cooking for his family and friends. His adventurous spirit led him to explore the world, visiting a new country every year, with Aruba being his happy place.
From his epic tales of youthful joy of selling strawberries and potholders to the neighbors, his favorite jokes and quips, and his many larger-than-life adventures, or his many globetrotting escapades, his family said the tales of Mr. Cohen will be recounted time and again.
