OBITUARY: Dr. Leonard Cohen

Dr. Leonard Cohen, 88, of Longboat Key, died Nov. 30.

Born Jan. 26, 1922, in Fall River, Mass., he grew up in New Bedford, Mass. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. during the Korean War. He attended Colby College, in Waterville, Maine, and graduated with a doctorate of dental sciences from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Cohen returned to New Bedford with his wife, Florence, and practiced dentistry there for 40 years.

Dr. Cohen was a member of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in New Bedford, where he served on many committees and was a choir member. He was a former president of the Kiwanis Club and a long-term member of the Dental Society of Massachusetts. After retiring, Dr. Cohen moved to Longboat Key. He was a member of Temple Beth Sholom and Temple Beth Israel, where he sang in the choir. In recent years, Dr. and Mrs. Cohen conducted Friday night and holiday services at Anchin Pavilion.

Dr. Cohen was active in the UJA and was a long-time volunteer for the Jewish Housing Council of Sarasota, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Mote Marine Aquarium. He loved fine arts and was a supporter of Sarasota’s theatrical and musical programs.

Dr. Cohen loved to travel and for many years spent several weeks performing dentistry at kibbutzes in Israel. He was an avid reader and enjoyed boating, rug hooking, making scrimshaw and sculpting.

Dr. Cohen is survived by his wife of nearly 66 years, Florence; daughters Maxine Spitzer and Deborah Cohen; and one grandson.

A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 3, at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota. The Cohen-Spitzer family will sit shiva from 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4; 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5; and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, at Dr. Cohen’s home.

Contributions can be made to the Jewish Housing Council of Sarasota, kobernickanchin.org, or Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, tidewell.org; or a charity of your choice.