William Jay Cohen

William (Bill to his friends, Billy to his wife) Jay Cohen, of East Hartford, 75 years young, loving father and grandfather, passed away peacefully with his son Mark by his side on Tuesday (December 3, 2013) at Bay State Medical Center, Springfield, MA. Born on July 8, 1938 in New Haven, he was the beloved son of the late Abraham J. and Rose (Sall) Cohen. The love of Bill’s life, his wife of 52 years, Jean (Parcesepe) Cohen, predeceased him on November 19, 2010. Bill was employed at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford for 35 years, where he worked in the Instrumentation Test Department. While there, he worked on many jet engine programs and some of his experimental test programs are still in service today. After retiring, he worked for PWA as a consultant in his field. The joys of Bill’s life were his wife, spending time with his granddaughters and caring for his grandson, Max, with whom he shared a very special bond. His gentlemanly stature was only overshadowed by his devotion and love for his family. He will be dearly missed by his two sons, Jonathan R. Cohen of West Haven and Mark D. Cohen of Ludlow, MA and four adored grandchildren, Mackenzie Elizabeth Cohen, Madison Taylor Cohen, Riley Jordan Cohen and Max Andrew Cohen. He is also survived by his sister, Arlene Leshine of Branford; his uncle, Irving Sall of Melbourne, FL and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Funeral services will be Monday (December 9th) at 10:30 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Family and friends may call on Monday prior to the service, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com. Billy is with “Jeannie Willows” now. We are very proud and blessed to be the sons of such an honorable man. Bill will be missed by all that knew him fondly. In loving memory of William Jay Cohen from his loving sons, Jon (Batman) and Mark (Robin).