Maurice Cohen

Maurice Cohen of Chapel Hill, formerly of London, England, and a citizen of Italy, died Monday, March 31, 2008, at his home. Born November 1, 1943, in Alexandria, Egypt, Maurice was a colorful citizen of the world. He received his undergraduate degree from Salford University in England and completed an MBA at INSEAD (Paris) in 1971.
After working in banking in New York and London, he entered the business world where he became Director of Marketing in Europe for an American manufacturer of cathode ray tubes. The emerging monochrome monitor field was quickly recognized as important and Maurice started his own marketing company in London. Under his leadership the company prospered, and not only became the major supplier of monitors for giants such as NCR but also developed a design company that could adapt and create necessary solutions for the rapidly changing electronic banking and medical fields. In 2002 Maurice merged his company with one of his Italian suppliers, creating Global Display Solutions. He served as Chairman of the Board until his death.
Maurice Cohen was a unique man of many talents. As an international businessman he was fluent in a number of languages, an ardent sailor and adventurer, and a warm, compassionate friend and colleague. He left a positive, lasting impression on all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Julie Lentz; his son, Marco of Vicenza, Italy; stepchildren, Charles Streich of Louisville, KY, Amy Bell (Sean) of Chapel Hill, Katie Savelli (Christian) of Chapel Hill; four granddaughters, Alison and Jennifer Cohn, Lindsay and Alexa Savelli.
Maurice was preceded in death by his first wife, Susan and by his parents, Victor and Lea Cohen.
Burial services will be held in London, England. A celebration of his life will be held in Chapel Hill in April after the family returns from London.
Memorial donations may be made in his name to Central Children's Home of North Carolina, Inc., 211 West Antioch Drive, Oxford, NC 27565.