J. David Cohen leading his daughter Shoshanna down the aisle on her wedding day in June of 1999, at Housers Bar, Ocean Beach, NY.
Born to Ruben and Mildred Cohen, and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, he attended the University of New Hampshire where he earned his degree in chemical engineering. Upon graduating UNH, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Before being stationed in Korea as a field artillery specialist, Dave would receive basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. During his time there he met Brina Chernov, who was attending Barnard University. They wed in 1961, a few years after his honorable discharge.
Dave enjoyed a career spanning over 45 years as an aeronautic combustion engineer at General Electric. He and Brina would establish themselves as longtime residents of Danvers, Massachusetts, where they raised their four children – son, Joshua; and daughters, Sarah, Shoshanna and Miriam. They also bred and raised African Basenji pure bred dogs and tended the small grape arbor that they grew at their family home.
He earned multiple patents for GE during his tenure and mentored many incoming engineers as he rose up the ranks, fostering longtime friendships. His keen interest in science, history and the environment were lifelong passions, which were the focus of a local newspaper column he wrote for a few years with the Danvers Herald after his retirement in 2002.
Dave was predeceased by his sister, Alma Schwartz in 2007; Brina in 2010; and Joshua in 2019. He is survived by his three daughters; his two granddaughters, Rebecca and Grace Kowalski; his niece, Elizabeth Schwartz Caukins; his nephew, Richard Schwartz; his son-in-law, Ian Flynn; and his longtime companion after the passing of his wife, Lisa Jalbert; her daughter, Kara Beesum; and granddaughter, Khalani.
He will be interred at Bourne National Cemetery in a private family ceremony.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in his memory to Friends of Animals, 777 Post Road, Suite 205, Darien, Connecticut 06820.
