Alan Cohen

It is with deep and heavy sadness that we announce the death of Alan “Pop-Pop” Cohen, who passed on November 16 at the age of 90, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas. Alan was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1924 to Ethel Holstein Cohen and Isidor Cohen. He was preceded in death by his brother Sam Cohen (m. Barbara Cohen dec.), and his sister Helen Hirsty (m. Syl Hirsty dec.), and is survived by his sister Judy Winograd (m. Eugene Winograd dec.), brother Jerry Cohen and sister-in-law Cecily Cohen. Also, he is survived by his beloved nieces and nephews.

After graduating from high school in 1941, Alan spent one year studying music at Indiana University then joined the Army, heading to England with Company A, 66th Armored Infantry Battalion, 12th Armored Division. An expert sharpshooter, “Ace” saw extensive action in the European theatre, and remained after VE Day with the peacekeeping forces, serving his country with honor and pride. After returning to the States, he attended and graduated from the University of Illinois. Subsequently, he attended photography school and opened his own studio.

Alan was married to his wife Alba for 60 years and had three children, Jody Cohen, Shari Cohen Ziebarth, and Greg Cohen, also welcoming to his family a son-in-law, Randy Ziebarth, and a daughter-in-law, Kelley Cohen. He was a loving Pop-Pop to six grandchildren: Matthew Crohn, Kendall Crohn, Jordan Noack (fiancé Andey Means), Jessica Noack, Skyler Cohen, and Caden Cohen, and to his great-granddaughter, Campbell Avery Means. Alan’s daughter Chris, married to John Komoroski, gave him six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, Craig (c. Sofia, Johnny, and Michael), Jenine (c. Tyler), Cheryl (m. Keith, c. Alex), Jamie (m. Nick, c. Elijah and Isaiah), Cori (m. Mike, c. Mike), and Josh.

Pop-Pop’s highest priority has always been family and was an easy-going and beloved patriarch. Alan also loved to golf – he could brag of shooting his age over 40 times! Another lifelong passion was music. A skilled musician (especially on the clarinet), he particularly enjoyed listening to opera and big band music (he was a great dancer, too!)

Alan was known for his sense of humor, for a quick wit and groan-worthy puns (a response he enjoyed eliciting), and a gentleness of spirit that made all feel welcome and those who knew him were touched by his kindness. Pop-Pop’s passing has left a hole in our hearts and our lives.

The funeral service will be held at Riverside Funeral Home, 21 Broad St W, Mt. Vernon, New York on Friday, November 21 at noon. Immediately following will be graveside service and burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Hastings-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The First Tee, bringing golf and life skills to kids (www.thefirsttee.org), or the American Cancer Society (http://main.acsevents.org/goto/alan_poppop_cohen). The family is grateful for the extraordinarily loving care Pop-Pop received at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital.