Sherman Cohen

Sherman Cohen, 98, of Boca Raton, Florida, formerly of Sharon and Mashnee Village, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2026, just three weeks after the loss of his beloved wife of 74 years, Marilyn “Mikki” Cohen. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 23, 1927, Sherman lived a life defined by enduring love, expressive words, and a devotion to Mikki that remained steadfast until his final breath.

He was the son of the late Anne Dretler and William Cohen. Sherman is survived by his loving children, Barry Frank Cohen and his wife, Jaclin, of Milton, Massachusetts, and Shelli R. Appell and her husband, Robert, of Wrentham, Massachusetts. He was the cherished “Poppy” of Nicole Appell, Stephanie Appell, Jessica Cohen and her husband, Zach Christman, and Daniel Cohen and his wife, Kristen; and the devoted great-grandfather of Dylan, Sienna, Beckham, Penelope, Tripp, Brooks, and Hayes.

Sherman lived a rich and fulfilling life. A graduate of Dorchester High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy at just 17 years old. During his service, an unexpected turn of events ignited a lifelong passion for writing—letters, short stories, and poetry that would come to define him. Over the decades, known as “The Poet of Boca Raton,” he authored ten books of poetry, including the award-winning The Year of Persian Lamb and Many Colors of Love, inspired by his muse and the love of his life, Mikki. He also wrote the theme poem for the Leukemia Society’s annual telethon and contributed lyrics to both popular music and musical theatre, including a play based on the life of Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Sherman shared his gift not only through the written word, but also by teaching and lecturing throughout the greater Boca Raton community. He was a sought-after guest reader, invited to present his work at venues across the country.

In addition to his literary accomplishments, Sherman enjoyed a distinguished career in the insurance industry. He was a life insurance broker with Prudential Life Insurance Company, where he earned recognition as Producer of the Year, and later co-founded the Cohen-Goldenberg Insurance Agency in Boston. In time, he partnered with his son, Barry, representing Berkshire Life Insurance Company, until his retirement.

Sherman and Mikki raised their family in Sharon, Massachusetts, and spent cherished summers on Cape Cod at their beloved waterfront home on Mashnee Island, “Point of View.” In retirement, they made their home in Boca Raton, where Sherman embraced life at Boca West Country Club, enjoying golf and a warm, vibrant social circle. In their later years, they resided at Sinai Residences, where Sherman passed peacefully.

“Through words not yet composed, the energy of my life, and the memory of it, shall be the metaphor for the poem never recited.” — Sherman Cohen

Services will be held graveside at 10:45 AM on Friday, May 8th, at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA. Please follow the signs to the graveside service, which will direct you to the rear of the administration building for the burial.

Shiva remembrances will be held at the home of Jaclin and Barry Cohen in Milton, immediately following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sherman’s memory to the Trustbridge Hospice Foundation, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 or via www.trustbridge.com/give or to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift.