Robert (B.) Cohen

Attorney Robert B. Cohen of Bloomfield, CT, formerly of West Hartford, CT, died peacefully in his home on Monday, June 5, 2017, at the age of 84. Bob was the loving husband of Mary Lou (Whitty) Cohen. Born in Scranton, PA, and raised in Margate, NJ, he was the son of the late George and Ray Cohen. In 1954 he graduated from Dickinson College and in 1957 he received his Law Degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

He began his professional career as an associate at Cole and Cole in Hartford, CT. The firm later became known as Wilson, Asbel & Channin where he became a Partner. In 1983 he became Senior Partner with Cohen & Channin. He later started his own firm in Hartford, CT. Since 1996, he served as Counsel with Levy & Droney, Professional Corporation in Farmington, CT. In 1957 Attorney Cohen was admitted to the Connecticut and United States District Court of Connecticut and the United States Connecticut Appeals Court. In 1958 he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, and in 1985 before the United States Tax Court and the United States Supreme Court. He was a contributing author of the Directory of State Environmental Agencies and Foundational Requirements for Admissibility of Expert Testimony.

Attorney Cohen was a former chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals in West Hartford; a member of the American Bar Association; Connecticut Bar Association and the Hartford County Bar Association where he lectured as well; the American Trial Lawyers Association; the Defense Research Institute and was a past president of the Dickinson Club. He also sat on boards at the Jewish Community Center and was a board member and contributor at the Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford.

Robert Cohen was a leading environmental attorney in Connecticut. His career highlights include; fighting for the Mohegan Tribe land rights as well as winning one of the first asbestos cases.

Bob was happiest on or in the water. He loved vintage car restoration, British racing cars, travel, skiing, fine arts and design, as well as a good mystery novel.

Besides his wife, Bob leaves his children: Melissa A. Cohen of Rhinebeck, NY, Gail A. Cohen of Sebastopol, CA, and Lawrence G. Cohen and his wife Amy of Weston, CT, from his first marriage to Joan Simon Cohen. He was predeceased by his daughter, Jan S. (Cohen) Stessman. He also leaves his son-in-law, Aaron Stessman of Petaluma CA; his grandchildren: Madeline and Emma Stessman, Caleb and Luc Stone, and Henry and Abby Cohen; his step-children: Beth Whitty (Scott Szymanski), Sue Whitty (Andrew Zehner), and Rob Whitty (Kim); and was Bobby to Emma, Nell and Harry Zehner, and Jake and Ellie Whitty.

The family would like to thank Bob’s caregiver, Farida Lumbanga, for her exceptional care, love and friendship over the years. Additionally, they would like to thank Masonicare Home Health and Hospice for their kindness and support.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 15, 2017 in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford with Rabbi Michael Pincus officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, 200 Whitman Avenue, West Hartford. Immediately following the interment the family will receive relatives and friends at Bob and Mary Lou’s residence, 1 Kensington Park, Bloomfield, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA), 912 Killian Hall Road, S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047, online at www.lbda.org, or the Susan G. Komen, Dept. 41831, P.O.Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75244, online at ww5.komen.org, in memory of his daughter, Jan. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Bob, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.