Obituary of Herman Cohen

HERMAN "HY" COHEN gifted the world a keen wit, a warm smile, a compassionate ear, and a booming voice. He passed peacefully on December 15, 2016 at the VA Memorial Home in Vineland, NJ. Hy was born in Bronx, NY to Rose and Louis Cohen on August 3, 1921. He proudly served in the Army Air Corps in WWII and remained active for many years with the Jewish War Veterans. After the war, he worked for many years for Metropolitan Life Insurance. He married his soul mate Mildred (Rosen) on January 17, 1942, and they were inseparable until Mildred's death in 2012. Hy is survived by his beloved daughters Roberta "Bobbi" Gelman (Michael) and Sharon Swerdlin (Ely), as well as the grandchildren and great grandchildren who lit up his life: Larry Wawrzenski, (Erin), Mark Wawrzenski (Melissa), Daniel Swerdlin (Amy), Jonathan Swerdlin, Kyle Wawrzenski (Amanda), Madeleine Swerdlin, and Benjamin Swerdlin. Hy's older siblings Sam Kahn, Jack Kahn, Ruth Rosen, and Helen Cohen preceded him in death, and he is survived by younger brother Irving Cohen. Hy excelled at laughing, singing, playing chess, and making people smile. You can best honor his memory by telling a joke, humming a tune, sharing sage advice, or calling someone out of the blue. Hy dearly loved his family and friends, and we will cherish his memory at Rone Funeral Home in Vineland, NJ on Sunday at a.m. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to B'nai B'rith (bnaibrith.org).