Herman Cohen

1922 - 2018

Herman Cohen

Wilmington - Age 96, passed away Saturday, August 25, 2018.

Herman Cohen came with his family to Wilmington, DE from Philadelphia, PA when he was just a few months old in 1922. His parents, Abraham and Sarah were immigrated from Eastern Europe.

As a child growing up on Poplar Street he loved school and had aptitude for learning. From a young age, he also relished working hard alongside his father in his grocery businesses and other endeavors and always helped take care of his mother who mostly spoke Yiddish. Herman was especially close to his three older brothers Morris, Mike, and Joe and loved his baby sister Fay whom he remained close to his entire life.

Before graduating high school Herman volunteered to serve in the US Army. It was World War II and after basic training in the South, he was stationed in the Philippines and specialized in Morse Code. He served bravely and honorably and spoke often about his experiences and valiant service throughout his life. After the war, he joined his brother's used furniture business. This eventually became known as Cohen's furniture which he ran for more than 60 years, first with his brothers, Morris and Joe on Market Street and then on DuPont Highway when his son, Arnold joined him.

Upon his discharge from the Army, he went on a blind date that changed his life. He met his love, Mildred and they married within a year, honeymooning in NYC and seeing all the best original broadway shows.

While he loved his work, his employees, and generations of customers that he knew by name, and he won numerous awards, Mildred and family always came first.

Together, they had four children, Janet, Arnold, Phillip, and Sharon. The family always celebrated and hosted holidays with extended family and went on fun adventures to the beach and mountains.

Education - both Jewish and Secular - were always at the center of their lives along with the arts and music. Herman and Mildred loved to travel near and far from Margate Beach to California, China to Russia, Israel to the Carribbean, and all over Europe where they always made and visited friends.

They faced tragedy together with the loss of Janet at just 17 and Arnold at 47. Herman found solace in his Judaism. He and Mildred most importantly understood that going on to live life fully and continuing to support Phil and Sharon in all of their interests; from politics to starting a restaurant to ice skating to colleges to film school as well as giving back philanthropically to the community through scholarships was what gave their life meaning.

Their granddaughter, Sarah brought so much joy. She inherited Herman's business acumen, salesmanship, and love of family. He was so proud, and enjoyed along with Mildred, Sarah's sister Monica and brother Glenn as their Mom Mom and Pop Pop - they shared many family occasions and mitzvahs with the Felder Family with lots of love.

Herman (and Mildred) also loved Arnold's devoted wife, Pam and her beautiful children that she and Arnold raised. He recalled wonderful times with with Kristin and her husband Tom and great-grandchildren Aliza, Trevor, Ella, and Quinn. He equally enjoyed spending time with Brian and his wife Meghan and great-grandchildren, Aiden, Finn, and Maeve.

Most recently, Herman was beyond thrilled to spend time with Sarah and her husband Dan's first child Ian, who he delighted in seeing every time.

Again family was at the center of his life. Close with his siblings and Mildred's siblings, he loved visiting nephew, Jay in California with his family, seeing nephew Jimmy, advising and always loving his dear niece Shelly, her son Drew, his wife Jess, her daughter Julie and Jason and their beautiful children. Herman embraced Phil's husband Mike with whom he felt close to and Sharon's fiancé Lynne.

Herman, a true people person, even looked up long lost relatives and proudly told us we had an astronaut as a cousin (a Jewish astronaut) and a world class professional tennis player on Mildred's side.

He loved history, especially Jewish history, music (symphonies and opera), and collected coins and art.

Above all for 70 years Herman Cohen loved his wife, Mildred to the stars and back. He is her rock, gentle, loving, and doting. A very good man she says. They were a team through thick and thin. Through every Hollywood Grill meal and ride in the country, Kimmie and all the gals at the grill along with the wonderful staff at Lodge Lane and all of their dear friends throughout the years, too many to mention, saw their love.

Herman, while not perfect, led a full and fulfilling life that touched each of us. His daughter Sharon recalls two phrases that he constantly repeated: "you are your own best asset," a call for self care, and the second: "you must always renew your enthusiasm for life'" find a new passion and try to live in the wonder of G-d's miracle.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Monday, August 27, 2018 at Congregation Beth Shalom, 1801 Barnard Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19802. Shiva will be observed 7:30 pm, Monday, August 27 through Wednesday, August 29 at Lodge Lane, 1221 Lodge Lane, Wilmington, DE 19809. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Congregation Beth Shalom or the Arnold and/or Janet Cohen Memorial Scholarship Fund.

SCHOENBERG MEMORIAL CHAPEL