Bret A. Cohen

Bret Allen Cohen, 56, of Wellesley, MA passed away peacefully at home at on June 12, 2023, after a valiant 14-month battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Bret was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Peoria, Illinois. He was a proud alumnus of the University of Illinois (where he was an enthusiastic member of the cheerleading squad) and the Saint Louis University School of Law. Bret eventually settled in the Boston area where he built his legal career and reputation as a talented and tenacious litigator focused on trade secrets and other employment disputes. Bret was one of the lucky few who was so passionate about and excited by his career that it truly never felt like a job to him. He was a partner at the law firm of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough where he was universally beloved by colleagues and clients alike.

As any number of airplane seatmates, elevator riders, next-table-over restaurant patrons, and even courtroom adversaries would attest, Bret genuinely loved people and made new friends everywhere he went. A meal, drink, concert, or ballgame shared with Bret was guaranteed to include infectious joy and unending laughter. Bret was ferociously devoted to his friends and was widely known as the person who would answer the call for help, advice or even just a hug in the middle of the night.

Bret’s greatest joy and passion, however, was his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Adrienne (Reynolds) Cohen, and a proud and loving father to his four children, Mackenzie Cohen, Clayton Cohen, and twin daughters Blake & Forde Cohen. Bret considered his children to be the greatest of all of his many achievements in life. He is also survived by his cherished parents, Stuart Irwin Cohen & his wife Judy, and Sharyn (Helstein) Hamilton, his brothers Boyd Cohen and Blair Cohen, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins whom he loved deeply, and his beloved rescue dogs Aspen, Nashville and Tusk.

Bret’s battle with brain cancer was a difficult one, but he faced it with the utmost optimism, grace and courage. Unsurprisingly and true to his character Bret made many new friends throughout his treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute including the valet parking attendants and two fellow glioblastoma patients whom he became close with (and lovingly referred to as his “glio buddies”), Heather Walker and Cindy Fitzpatrick. Known to do pushups at each hospital visit to show how well he was doing and feeling, Bret inspired fellow patients and medical professionals alike with his infectious positive attitude and unyielding determination.

While he left us too soon, Bret’s memory will live on through the countless lives he touched and the legacy of courage, optimism, love and generosity that he leaves behind.

Services will be held at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley on Friday, June 16th at 10am. Interment at Beit Olam East Cemetery, Wayland.

Shiva to follow at the family home, 2:00-6:00pm. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations in his memory may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/BretCohen or the National Brain Tumor Society, www.braintumor.org