Harris Cohen
Harris Cohen, a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at the age of 98. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Alida, his sisters Reena Appelberg and Dorothy (Devorah) Moten, and his parents Hyman (Herbert) and Anna Cohen.
Harris leaves behind his daughter Charlotte and son-in-law, Neil Sheer; and daughters Eileen and Barbara Cohen; his grandchildren Hannah and Michael Donovan, and Haley and Dan Glennan; his great-granddaughter Kellyanne Glennan; and his dear nephew William Asnes and his wife Ellen.
Harris was born on April 22, 1926, in Boston, MA. He left high school to support his family, working several part-time jobs doing typesetting for a printer and selling newspapers, while continuing his high school work at night. He proudly completed his studies to graduate with his senior class. On January 16, 1949, he married Alida, and their 71-year journey together began.
They were together through many business ventures, beginning with his work with Acorn Films and Back Bay Film Labs in Boston, where he managed a crew of cameramen and developed films for ABC, CBS, and NBC news. One of his films was acclaimed for capturing the last view of the ill-fated luxury liner, the Andrea Doria, when it sank off the coast of Nantucket in 1956. When videotape became the recording media of choice, Harris and Alida decided to retire his film business and they purchased a Kampgrounds of America (KOA) franchise, building a 100-site campground in Webster, MA. In 1972, he sold the KOA and joined Lewis Duplicating Service, a Sharon-based printing and mail distribution company that he eventually purchased and moved into his home. In addition to becoming known throughout the town for printing and mailing most of the temple and church bulletins, Harris also supported the Sharon town offices, Recreation Department, Rotary Club, and the Sharon Men’s Club.
Throughout his various business endeavors, Harris and Alida’s commitment to their children never waned. There were annual camping trips in their travel trailer up and down the east coast. They eventually purchased a motor home and traveled across the country. They were very present in their daughters’ lives, especially admired for the unending support they provided to Barbara through her many life’s challenges.
Harris was involved in the start-up of Temple Sinai in 1958. He was a member of the Building and Finance Committee and chaired the Ritual Committee at the Bell House. As a member of the Board of Trustees, in 1961 he was elected President of the new synagogue on Ames Street. He and Alida served as co-directors of the Sharon Federation of Temple Youth (SFTY), hosting a group of 29 teens on a bus trip to Expo ’67 in Montreal, Canada. Over the years, Harris served on numerous committees, served again as temple President, was a member of the Brotherhood, and served as editor of the temple bulletin for many years. He chaired the committee that built the Lester Bernstein Memorial Library, and the Holocaust Memorial. Harris and Alida took tremendous pride in their participation in the Holocaust Stamps Project, founded by their daughter Charlotte, trimming and counting nearly a quarter million stamps over the course of many years.
Harris found incredible joy in sharing the lives of his granddaughters, Hannah and Haley, attending endless dance recitals, school events, gymnastics meets, and basketball games. He and Hannah had weekly timeslots for cookies, tea, and movies. When the girls found their forever soul mates, their “Zaidy” took Michael and Dan into his heart, and we were all so blessed that he was able to attend their weddings in 2023. He became a great-granddad in 2024 and enjoyed afternoon lunches and finger games with baby Kellyanne. In the last four years, Harris — who had previously been named the “Mayor of Marie Avenue” by his loving neighbors — became an active participant in the BrightView Senior Living community in Canton, MA.
His family and friends will remember Harris for his warmth, kind and loving heart, determination, his infectious humor, his intelligence and magnetic personality. He lived his life with sincerity, integrity, and dignity.
The funeral service will be at Temple Sinai of Sharon, 25 Canton Street, Sharon, MA on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. Shiva (visiting hours) on Thursday will be in the social hall at Temple Sinai immediately following the burial from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., concluding with a prayer service at 3:00 p.m. Remembrances in memory of Harris may be made to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, Temple Sinai of Sharon, 25 Canton St., Sharon, MA 02067 or to an animal rescue or shelter of your choice.