William Jacob Cohen

It is with great sadness that the Cohen family announces the death of Bill Cohen. He passed on May 7 quite suddenly and too soon. We will always remember Bill for his kindness, his intelligence, his calming and loving nature, his passion for Judaism, his passion for Justice, his passion for teaching and for making the world a better place. Bill was an asset to our Citrus County community. He was very active with the Citrus County Democrats, serving as their treasurer. He enhanced the Jewish community wherever he lived, and he was always striving to improve the quality of life for all of us here at Congregation Beth Sholom. He was willing to work hard to promote the changes he wanted to see. One of his many friends wrote in tribute, “He was my great, liberal lion, and I will miss his well thought-out posts and love of this country.”

Bill worked most of his life in commercial appraising and management accounting. He held a masters in Community Economic Development and dedicated his later working years to the cause of equitable and affordable housing for everyone. Prior to moving to Florida, Bill volunteered for nine years on the board for Community Bridges (NH) whose mission is to advance the integration, growth and interdependence of people with developmental disabilities within their own communities.

Bill was a brilliant guy, who if he chose to apply his mind to your issue or cause or concern, could move mountains. He never spouted the outrage of the day, but would go deeper--the story behind the story--the injustice that needed to be righted, the cause that was so righteous that it could not be denied. He was eloquent beyond words in his calls for equality, democracy, and the rights of those left behind in the American Experiment. He had a dream to transform the voting psyche of young Americans by hosting them on visits to the Civil Rights trail across the American South, and those of us who count Bill as our true friend and compatriot owe it to him to take up his call to action.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife Carol, his daughter Ariel with her husband Ben and daughter Ida Rose, and son Solomon with his wife Taylor. In addition, he is survived by his twin sister Sue and her daughters Niki and Sharyn. He was predeceased by his parents. One friend wrote, “When I think of Bill I think of his love of family from his own nuclear family to the giant family tree research to the family that he clearly created with his community no matter where he went. His selfless philosophy for the greater good, even if it is not the very best thing for him, was clear in his acts and his writing. The world is a better place for having him and he will live on for generations in the lives he touched.”

May his memory be a blessing for those of us who knew and loved him, and for those who have yet to be touched by his ideas and vision. We are going to all have to work a bit harder to make up for the loss of his dedicated thoughtfulness, kind heart, and good deeds.

To donate in Bill’s honor you might consider the Citrus County Democratic Party or Congregation Beth Sholom, PO Box 640024, Beverly Hills, FL, 34465. The family thanks you.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ferofuneralhome.com for the Cohen family.