Obituary for Irvin Cohen
Irvin Cohen, 95, of Reading, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2021 in his home surrounded by his loving family.
Irvin, known as Irv to all, was the son the of the late Samuel and Yetta (Chinchin) Cohen. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lois; children Helene (the late Pete) Bludman and Richard; grandchildren Evan (Bonnie Swierczek) Schiff, Emily (Rand) Stearns, Laurie Bludman, and Ross (Ariel) Cohen; and great-grandchildren Sofia, Jayden, Chelsea and Lyla. He was predeceased by his brothers Fred (the late Anne) and Lewis (Joan). He is survived by his brother Lee Cohen and many nieces and nephews.
Irv was a graduate of Mount Penn High School and Penn State University, where he met his beloved wife Lois. He and Lois were proud Penn Staters who spent many weekends at football games and also became enthusiastic supporters of the Penn State Musical Theater program at University Park. They were active alumni at Penn State Berks, where Irv served on the campus’ Advisory Board. Along with Vic and Dena Hammel, he and Lois created a fellowship program designed to prepare Penn State Berks students to become engaged ethical leaders in the 21st century.
He was a World War II veteran.
Irv was the founder and CEO of Eastern Machine Products, Inc., a metal stamping and fabricating business, and Construction Fasteners, Inc., an internationally recognized industrial fastener manufacturer, based in Wyomissing.
After retiring from Construction Fasteners, he helped establish the Cambridge Day Schools and became involved in other businesses.
Irv was a passionate supporter of the arts. He was one of the founders and a vice president of GoggleWorks and a board member of the Reading Public Museum. He believed strongly in supporting his community, especially the children of Reading. He and Lois chaired a capital fund drive for Opportunity House and donated a theater to PAL. They contributed to dozens of local organizations.
He and Lois received numerous awards for their philanthropy, including Eastern Pennsylvania Philanthropists of the Year, the Berks Art Council Pagoda Award, the Thun Award, and an induction into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame.
Irv was past president of the Reading Jewish Community Center. He and Lois were lifetime members of Temple Oheb Shalom.
Funeral arrangements were private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Opportunity House or GoggleWorks or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Henninger Funeral Home, Inc.is in charge of arrangements.
www.henningerfuneralhome.com
Irvin, known as Irv to all, was the son the of the late Samuel and Yetta (Chinchin) Cohen. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lois; children Helene (the late Pete) Bludman and Richard; grandchildren Evan (Bonnie Swierczek) Schiff, Emily (Rand) Stearns, Laurie Bludman, and Ross (Ariel) Cohen; and great-grandchildren Sofia, Jayden, Chelsea and Lyla. He was predeceased by his brothers Fred (the late Anne) and Lewis (Joan). He is survived by his brother Lee Cohen and many nieces and nephews.
Irv was a graduate of Mount Penn High School and Penn State University, where he met his beloved wife Lois. He and Lois were proud Penn Staters who spent many weekends at football games and also became enthusiastic supporters of the Penn State Musical Theater program at University Park. They were active alumni at Penn State Berks, where Irv served on the campus’ Advisory Board. Along with Vic and Dena Hammel, he and Lois created a fellowship program designed to prepare Penn State Berks students to become engaged ethical leaders in the 21st century.
He was a World War II veteran.
Irv was the founder and CEO of Eastern Machine Products, Inc., a metal stamping and fabricating business, and Construction Fasteners, Inc., an internationally recognized industrial fastener manufacturer, based in Wyomissing.
After retiring from Construction Fasteners, he helped establish the Cambridge Day Schools and became involved in other businesses.
Irv was a passionate supporter of the arts. He was one of the founders and a vice president of GoggleWorks and a board member of the Reading Public Museum. He believed strongly in supporting his community, especially the children of Reading. He and Lois chaired a capital fund drive for Opportunity House and donated a theater to PAL. They contributed to dozens of local organizations.
He and Lois received numerous awards for their philanthropy, including Eastern Pennsylvania Philanthropists of the Year, the Berks Art Council Pagoda Award, the Thun Award, and an induction into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame.
Irv was past president of the Reading Jewish Community Center. He and Lois were lifetime members of Temple Oheb Shalom.
Funeral arrangements were private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Opportunity House or GoggleWorks or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Henninger Funeral Home, Inc.is in charge of arrangements.
www.henningerfuneralhome.com