Obituary for
Walter Cohan
Walter Cohan died peacefully at home at the age of 93. He was born in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 19 while on his way to College in a PR-Officer’s Course, and was sent to Cornell University. When he became an officer, graduating from Quantico, he was sent to Air Combat Intelligence School at Quonset Point, RI and received further training at Cherry Pt. SC.
Walter then returned to Cornell on the G.I. Bill, and met his future bride, Nancy on a “blind date” arranged by a Marine Buddy. After graduating from Cornell, he was hired by the Atlantic Refining Co. but was reactivated in the Marine Corps. He had not served in a combat area in WWII, and therefore volunteered to go to Korea, leaving his wife, Nancy with a 1 ½ year son and baby about to be born.
When the Korean War ended, Walter went to work for General Foods, becoming the product manager for Maxwell House Coffees, and then Sales Manager for the division. He was hired by Peter Paul, where he served as V.P. of Marketing, Sales, and Distribution. He left Peter Paul Cadbury after they merged, and became a consultant until he retired five years later.
When they moved to Florida, Walter taught reading in several of the schools in Vero, mostly to younger children with learning difficulties in early reading. Walter was also active in Holy Cross Catholic Church where he was a lector.
Walter was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He and Nancy were married for 70 years, before her death in March 2017. They leave behind to cherish their memories, five grown children, Walter E. "Chip" Cohan Jr of Tiburon, CA; Timothy P. Cohan of Darien, CT; Kathleen A. Haire of Darien, CT; Christopher T. Cohan of Aspen, CO; and Jeffrey M. Cohan of Watertown, CT; and ten grandchildren.
The family will receive friends during a reception at Regency Park in Vero Beach, Thursday, August 10, 2017 from 10:00- 11:30 am.
A celebration of Walter’s life is being planned for the future.For those who wish, contributions in memory of Walter can be made to VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, Florida 32960 www.vnatc.com. To leave an online condolence please visit Cox-Gifford Funeral Home websitewww.coxgiffordseawinds.com
