Maxim N Cohen

January 4, 1942 – February 20, 2026

Max Cohen, age 84, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and a deep, quiet devotion to his family.

Early Life and Education

Max was born on January 4, 1942, in Troy, NY, to Tom and Shirley Cohen. He grew up alongside his brother, Larry, who was five years older and a constant companion, often bringing Max along with his friends. The Cohen household was one rooted in hard work; his father and grandfather established a scrap business in Watervliet, NY, that supported the family and fostered a strong sense of community. Sundays were reserved for family, often spent with his many aunts and cousins who lived nearby in Troy.

Max was well-liked and maintained good relationships with his friends, despite being shorter than average and occasionally teased. He spent his summers at sleep-away camp, where he discovered a lifelong love for the water and became an excellent swimmer. After graduating from High School in Troy, Max attended Rider College (now University) in Trenton, NJ. It was there, while studying accounting, that he met his first love, Joan Luft.

Family and Career in New York

Max and Joan married in 1963 and began their life together in Niskayuna, NY. Their family grew quickly with the arrival of Laura, followed by Daniel and Eileen. Professionally, Max thrived as a CPA, eventually becoming a partner at the Albany firm of Urbach, Kahn, and Werlin. These years were defined by professional growth and the joys of raising a young family.

A New Chapter in Tucson

In 1984, looking to trade the harsh New York winters for the desert sun, Max and Joan relocated to Tucson, AZ. This move marked a significant shift in Max’s career. He set out on his own, specializing as a temporary controller for several small businesses. He took great pride in helping companies navigate difficult financial times, providing steady acumen until they found their footing. He made many lasting friendships through his work before eventually staying on as the Controller of Tetra Tech.

Beyond his formal career, Max was a generous mentor; he often advised the children of his friends as they embarked on their own entrepreneurial journeys, helping them build their businesses from the ground up. This same commitment to financial wisdom was central to his role as a father taking great care to instill in his children and grandchildren a strong sense of fiscal responsibility and a true understanding of the value of a dollar.

A Second Love and Community Service

Struggling with his loss of Joan, Max eventually found a grief support group at the TMC Cancer Center. It was there he met Jonnie Howard, a recent widow. Their shared understanding blossomed into a deep love, and they were married on February 2, 2002 (2/2/2002).

In their 24 years of marriage, "Grandpa and Jonnie" enjoyed traveling across the United States and Canada. As they grew older and long trips became more difficult, they dedicated their time to the Sunrise Presidio HOA and beach home in Rocky Point—Max serving as treasurer and Jonnie on the Landscape committee. Max also dedicated his time to the boards of Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Tucson and Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona, organizations whose missions he chose to support with deep personal conviction. His philanthropy remained focused on these causes close to his heart, including the University of Arizona Cancer Center and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of those he had lost.

The Heart of the Family

Max was a keen observer who found profound joy in simply watching and listening to the world around him. To those who didn't know him well, his quiet nature might have been mistaken for a lack of interest, but in truth, he was deeply engaged and attentive. While not an adventurous traveler by nature, he was a dedicated one when it came to his family. He made regular trips to Boston and Washington, DC, and cherished vacations to Hawaii, Mexico, and California. He followed the lives of his children and grandchildren with great care, listening intently and speaking of their accomplishments with immense pride.

In his final year, Max and Jonnie moved to the Broadway Proper community. He took great pleasure in the simple joys of life there: the ease of shared meals, the strategy of a good card game, and the gentle hum of conversation around him.

Survivors

Max was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan, and his brother, Larry.

He is survived by wife, Jonnie; his children, Laura Cohen of Silver Spring, MD, Dan Cohen and wife Marina Kvitnitsky of Newton, MA, and Eileen Hartig of Tucson; and grandchildren, Bridget Hartig and fiancé Chris Sanders of Beacon, NY, Jonathan Cohen of Boston, MA, Brian Hartig of Tucson, and Sabrina Cohen in Montreal, QC.

Service Information

East Lawn Mortuary Chapel 5801 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712 Monday, February 23, 2026 - 5:30pm

Memorial Donations

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:

Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona Online:

mobilemealssoaz.org/donate Mailing Address: 3355 South 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85713

If donors wish, they can note that their gift is in memory of Max either online or with a mailed check.

Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Tucson Online:

jfcstucson.org/ways-to-give Mailing Address: 4301 East 5th Street, Tucson, AZ 85711

If donors wish, they can note that their gift is in memory of Max either online or with a mailed check.