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WILLIAM COHEN
COHEN- William It is with sadness and love that we announce the passing of William Cohen, 96, of Chelsea, New York on July 28, 2020. William and his identical twin brother, Arnold, were both well-known court reporters who each won National Speed Contests in the '50s. William worked for 28 years in the Southern District Federal Court and 23 years in State Supreme Court in Mineola prior to that. He also worked as a judge advocate's stenographer during World WarII and reported War Crimes Trials after the war. William never married but he had a large extended family whom he saw often and cared for deeply. His second family would be the large network of stenographers he would go on to mentor, encourage, and embolden. He was an emblematic professional, a generous uncle, and an altruistic educator.
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Published by Newsday on Aug. 1, 2020.
MEMORIAL EVENTS
GUEST BOOK
6 Entries
I was so blessed to have run into Bill in the basement of the Nassau County Courthouse as a fresh reporter out of college. He could tell just looking at me I was new. He started giving me the lay of the land about how depositions were held in the basement in those rooms, what phrases to write, encouraging me to tell them to repeat themselves. It was always a pleasure to run into Bill and Arnold at conventions and seminars. I was in awe of both of them. They were my court reporting idols. And you, now joined with Arnold, will be the steno gods in heaven. My condolences to family and friends.
Donna Linton
Acquaintance
August 26, 2020
I was privileged to learn court reporting from Bill Cohen. Not only did he teach me how to write, but he taught me so much about the importance of building my vocabulary and the English language, and about work ethics and dedication to one's livelihood. Bill emphasized that speed building was more important than learning short forms. He was incredibly generous with his time and sharing his talents with those that could not afford the hefty tuition charged by court reporting schools. He was a brilliant and extremely kind human being, and I was incredibly fortunate to have known him. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Amy Green
Student
August 17, 2020
Bill, I miss you so much already. I miss our reading, our Prufrock and Tolstoy. I miss all the way back to the first day I walked into your office and you hired me - to my astonishment. Bill Cohen, in raising the standard for an accurate record, you have left your stamp on our great American justice system.
Martha Hess
Friend
August 16, 2020
Please except my deepest sympathies to you and your family at this time of grieving.
Simone Taylor
August 7, 2020
Lynn Van Den Hende
August 6, 2020
If it were not for Bill, I would never have been a reporter at SDNY. He fought tooth and nail for me to be made a partner at SDR. I owe everything to this wonderful man. It was an honor and a privilege to be his colleague and to enjoy his warmth and friendship. He will always be in my thoughts and in my heart.
Toni Stanley
Coworker
August 2, 2020