Julian Cohen

Julian Cohen was the man behind the music in two cities.

The developer and philanthropist donated more than $3 million to the Raymond F. Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, helping to bring famous voices to its stage. A lover of the Pops, he also gave more to the Boston Symphony Orchestra than anyone in its history.

Mr. Cohen, a lover of the arts, died in Massachusetts this week, friends said. He was 82.

Splitting his time between Palm Beach and Boston, Mr. Cohen was involved with the Kravis Center since before its construction. He sat on the board of directors for more than 15 years, center officials said.

He came up with the idea for the Cohen Pavilion that bears his name, donating $1'million - along with his late wife, Eunice - toward its construction and giving another $2 million for the new structure that opened in 2003.

He also gave generously to Massachusetts cultural institutions such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra. As of January, news reports said he'd given the orchestra $13 million, prompting orchestra officials to call him the most generous donor ever.

"Julian Cohen was the warmest, most caring, most personally generous human being imaginable," Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, said in a written statement. "He was also incredibly real and down-to-earth to a degree that belied his status. He set an unparalleled example for stewardship of the causes and institutions that were dear to him ... I feel blessed to have known him."

Mr. Cohen also donated to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where art lovers can stroll through the Eunice and Julian Cohen Galleria.

"He was always thinking about how to make things better and he had truly great ideas," said Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr., chairman of the board of directors for the Kravis Center. "There couldn't have been a nicer or gentler man. I'm going to miss him terribly."

Mr. Cohen had planned on attending the center's 15th Anniversary Gala Saturday, officials said. Artists including Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey will perform.

Organizers plan to dedicate the performance to Mr. Cohen.

"He was a wonderful, generous man with a great sense of humor," said Judy Mitchell, the center's chief executive officer. "A gentleman in the true sense of the word."