Joel David Cohen

Joel David Cohen, born July 3, 1952, passed away on June 10, 2026. He will be remembered as a patriotic, kind, and genuinely curious man who cared deeply for his family, friends, faith, and community. Joel grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was the only child of Morton Abraham Cohen and Doris Kaplan Cohen. Though he was an only child, he was surrounded by a large extended family and cherished the time he spent with his cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. As a child, Joel was bright, intelligent, and endlessly curious. He excelled in school and developed an early fascination with science and space, even participating in a youth space program called SPARK. He loved playing with neighborhood friends, enjoyed sports, and was always eager to learn and explore the world around him. Joel graduated from Northeast High School in Philadelphia in 1970 and went on to earn a degree in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University. During high school, he served as President of the Philadelphia chapter of Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA), a Jewish youth organization. While attending Drexel, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. Proudly Jewish, Joel’s faith and heritage were an important part of his identity throughout his life. He celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at age 13, and Judaism remained a guiding influence for him. He believed deeply in being a good person, doing good deeds, and leaving the world better than he found it. Joel believed in giving back and faithfully supported charitable organizations throughout his life. He was especially proud to serve as a Big Brother with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, an experience that was meaningful to him. Relationships were incredibly important to Joel. He made a point to visit family and friends whenever he had the opportunity and was exceptional at maintaining lifelong friendships, no matter the distance. Whether reconnecting with elementary school friends, high school classmates, AZA friends, college fraternity brothers, former coworkers, poker buddies, or golf partners, Joel treasured the people in his life. Joel had a warm, friendly personality that put others at ease. He enjoyed striking up conversations wherever he went, whether with lifelong friends or complete strangers. His genuine interest in others, loyalty, and ability to stay connected with so many people throughout his life will be remembered and deeply missed. Joel had a passion for sports and especially loved golf. His favorite place was on a golf course, and he treasured the many rounds he played with friends over the years. He also enjoyed playing poker, participating in his Fantasy Football league, and gathering with friends for a good meal and conversation. A devoted sports fan, Joel faithfully followed football, golf, and his favorite teams. He cheered for the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles, and his hometown Philadelphia teams—the Phillies, Flyers, and 76ers. He was also a fan of the Dallas Stars and enjoyed taking his daughters to hockey games when they were young. Joel loved music, especially oldies and classic rock, and was a devoted Jimmy Buffett fan. Some of his favorite artists included Joe Cocker, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles. He also loved going to the movies with his family, especially for big summer blockbusters and holiday releases. At home, he enjoyed watching television favorites such as Law & Order and The West Wing. Joel especially loved celebrating the Fourth of July. He always got a kick out of the fact that the Town of Addison’s Kaboom Town fireworks show was held on July 3—his birthday—and would joke that they were setting off the fireworks just for him. Above all, Joel cherished his family. He was the proud father of twin daughters, Danielle and Sara. When they were growing up, he made a point of attending their sporting events, theater performances, dance recitals, and other important activities. He found great joy in being a grandfather. Proudly known as “Pop-Pop,” Joel treasured his five grandchildren and loved watching them grow, celebrating their accomplishments, and spending time with them whenever he could. Joel was preceded in death by his parents, Morton and Doris Cohen. He is survived by his daughters, Danielle Pervinich and her husband, Elliott, and Sara Coffman and her husband, Ben; his five grandchildren; and many extended family members and cherished friends. A memorial gathering will be held to honor Joel’s life, with a Zoom option available for those unable to attend in person. Details will be shared as they become available. A second memorial gathering will be held at a later date in Joel’s hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with additional details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joel’s memory to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Joel’s family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time and looks forward to gathering with family and friends to honor his memory.

Joel David Cohen

July 3, 1952 - June 10, 2026