Myron Cohon

Myron COHON Surrounded by family, Myron Cohon passed away peacefully late Sunday night. He was ninety-three. After a good day spent tending his finances, working on his geometric constructions, and lunching with friends, he was felled by a massive stroke. Myron was born in Jersey City, NJ, November 19, 1917. He grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and earned his B.S. in Philosophy from the City College of New York, in 1939. Drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1941, he served in France, Italy and Germany, rising to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. In 1947, Myron met and married the pianist, Blossom Winkler. They settled in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and had three children. In 1964, Myron left the wholesale lumber industry behind, setting his sights on a new career in a new home. He moved his family across the country to Tacoma, Washington, where he worked as a systems designer for the Weyerhaeuser Company, in the brand new field of computers. He subsequently worked for the Boeing Company, and for the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. In 1974, Myron returned to New Jersey, where he worked for the Federal Government. After his wife's death in 1980, and his retirement in 1983, Myron moved to Manhattan. There he embarked on a new course, one of community involvement and service. He recorded books for the blind for the New York Public Library, and volunteered as a mathematics tutor in the public high schools. In Manhattan, Myron met Lois Molinari. They married in 1987. The two of them attended concerts, theater, and other cultural events regularly. They also entertained a wide circle of friends, including musicians, artists, and actors, in their New York apartment. In 2001, Myron and Lois relocated to Seattle, to be in the same city with his children and their families. After two years in Belltown, they moved into the University House retirement home in Wallingford. There Myron busied himself with play readings, and discussion groups. He instituted a music listening group, and his favorite project, "Readings by Myron." He would select short stories and perform them for an eager audience. In time, he began to read for an equally enthusiastic audience at the Merrill Gardens retirement home, as well. When not busy with his community, Myron expressed his passion for mathematical concepts through a wonderful artistic enterprise: he created, and displayed, a large, and ever growing ouvre of geometric sculptures. He worked in wood, plastic, cardboard, metal, and string, each construction demonstrating the relationships and symmetries among the five Platonic solids. He leaves behind his wife Lois Molinari, son Bill (wife Rebecca Ringer, and children Dylan, Dylan's wife Kristen, and Blossom); son Keith (wife Yumi Hiraga, and children Maya and Hana); and daughter Alison (husband Bruce Warshaw, and children Isabella and Eli), all of the Seattle area. He is also survived by his aunt Selma Florman, sister-in-law Miriam Winkler, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. There will be a Celebration of Myron's Life, Friday at 2 P.M., at the University House, Stone Way, Wallingford. Please view/sign Myron's online guestbook at www.Legacy.com