Harry Cohn

Harry Cohn
11/22/2025
Harry Cohn, 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by the family he cherished above all else.
Harry was born on May 27, 1929 in West Germany. He was separated from his parents, Ludwig Cohn and Else Cohen Cohn, and his sister Lottie during WW2, and lived in a Belgian orphanage for a year and a half before reuniting with them in Holland. They took the last ship before the Nazi's invaded and came to America in 1940, where they built a better life for their family and the generations to follow.
Harry was known for his loving and generous spirit. He spent his long life showing up for others-with kindness, with patience, and with a quiet strength that made people feel safe and cared for. Family was truly everything to him, and he never missed an opportunity to offer support, a warm hug, or a gentle word of encouragement.
His first love, Barbara, danced through life with him, bore his children, and supported him and the family with a great love of travel and the arts. They both valued and were actively engaged in Tikkun olam: to repair and improve the world.
After Barbara passed, Judy and he shared a wonderful second love and indulged their passions for art, good food and world travel . While continuing their pursuit of Tikkun Olam, together they enjoyed treating the family to many wild and fun adventures, and with Lottie, hosted many memorable family celebrations. She cared for him dearly as he came to the end of his life.
Harry worked for 40 years at Levi Strauss & Co. where he was respected for his dedication and strong work ethic. He made lasting friendships there and carried those connections with him throughout his life.
A quintessential American success story, at the age of 15, Harry began his career at Levi Strauss & Co by wrapping packages for the summer. After graduating from Lowell High School, he returned to the Company and never left, becoming a self taught apparel business executive who ultimately became a member of the Board of Directors , a Corporate Vice President, and the President of the of the Menswear Division.
Despite his seemingly gruff exterior, and a voice that could be heard down the hall without a telephone, he was seen by many as a "father figure" with tender attitudes towards those who worked for him.
Former President , CEO and Chairman of the Board, Robert Haas described him as the "Godfather of Menswear". He was respected for embodying the Levi traditions of quality, integrity and caring about people, as well as having a superb intuitive grasp of peoples' capabilities and the apparel industry.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Judy Pickard Siegel Cohn; his children, Debbie Diestler (Dennis) , Steve Cohn, and Julie Cohn (Michael Chadwick); step- children, David Siegel (Caroline) Sandra Clayton (Joe);and Marci Siegel-Kittrell (Jon); his sister, Lottie Miklos; grandchildren Adam Diestler (Robbie); Brian Diestler, Abby ( Phil) Rodriguez; Great grandchildren: Evan,Wesley, Preston, Noah, Luke, Lucy and Elliana; Nephews David Miklos (wife) ( Janice)
and Robert Miklos; who brought him endless pride and joy.
Harry passed away on November 22, 2025. His memory will be held close by all who loved him, and his lifelong example of warmth, generosity, and devotion to family will continue to shine through the generations he leaves behind.