Marvin L Cohen, a retired Electrical Contractor and avid golfer died peacefully of injuries following a fall in his home and a brief hospital stay. He was 91. He is survived by his daughter Suzie Selembo (Bob), son Barry and son Bruce (Andrea) and step-daughter Carolyn Rinke (Gordon) as well as 5 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his late wife Dorothy Wren Cohen.
Marvin was known for his humor, his ability to get things done and his involvement with family, friends and community. Marvin, along with his late wife Dorothy, shared a passion for theatre, and for many years they graced many of the theatre playhouses of Memphis performing together in plays and musicals.
Marvin was a proud member of the National Guard for 30 years, retiring with the rank of first sergeant. Marvin was active in religious, business and civic organizations including the Baron Hirsh Men’s Club, the Memphis Electric League, and the Memphis Builder’s Exchange. In December of 2019, the Builder’s Exchange honored him at a surprise dinner for over 45 years of service as a member, board member, House Chairman and Trustee. Marvin enjoyed cooking for family and friends and worked with Baron Hirsh to help cater events for clubs and members.
Three years ago, following the death of Dorothy his wife of 42 years, Marvin moved into an independent living facility, Town Village in Memphis. There he continued his habit of community involvement. Along with starting a Veteran’s Club, he encouraged the establishment of a wall of honor for resident veterans. He joined and eventually became president of the Town Village Resident’s Board where he started a Billiard’s club and helped bring in more recreational options for residents including an indoor putting green. Marvin’s family members are thankful for staff support during his stay there and especially immediately following his fall.
With Marvin’s three children no longer in Memphis, the family is especially grateful for the support given to Marvin by his granddaughter Chelsea Bowen and grandson David Cohen and wife Diane during his time at Town Village and during his hospital stay. A special thanks goes to Marvin’s daughter Suzie Selembo and husband Bob who handled medical and financial details from their home in Florida. Marvin enjoyed video chats and phone calls from his son Barry, his granddaughter Natalie and her husband Jacob and their children who are living in Israel and from his son Bruce and wife Andrea from Arizona. Also Marvin enjoyed having visits and phone contact with his granddaughter Aliza Goldenberg, husband Yehuda and their 8 children and his step-daughter Carolyn Rinke and her husband Gordon. During the Covid lockdown this past June Marvin was able to participate via facetime and Zoom with other family members in the wedding of his granddaughter Callie Bowen to Brian Bauer in Oregon.
Marvin was born in the Bronx, NY in 1929. After moving to Memphis, he worked as an electrician for a few years before joining with a friend Bob Benadetti to start their own successful electrical contracting business, Co-Ben Electric. After selling his business and retiring, Marvin ended up being lured out of retirement two more times before he finally put away his tools for good at age 80.
Marvin was always active in sports. He came late in life to Golf, but once there it became one of his favorite activities only reluctantly giving it up in his late 80s. Marvin had friends of all ages and he enjoyed meeting with them through his many activities.Marvin was a long-time member of Temple Israel.
There will be a private service at Noon Tuesday February 16th, 2021 but the service will be available via Zoom. Please contact the family to express condolences at [email protected] and to get the Zoom link to stream the service live.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Marvin’s memory to the charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FamilyFuneralMemphis.com for the Cohen family.
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