Leon H. Cohen, 84, a successful business owner, conservationist and philanthropist, died Nov. 4 of heart disease at his home in Weston, Mass.
At an early age, Cohen was initiated into a family-owned leather shoe sole business (Way Leather Co.), eventually launching a variety of international enterprises, primarily in the footwear industry. He held several patents on inventions that helped revolutionize both the shoe soling and running shoe businesses in the 1960s.
Born in Boston in 1927, Cohen and his family first lived in Mattapan, then eventually settled in West Newton. He graduated from Newton High School and Tufts University. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Lee Cohen spent much of his professional life traveling throughout the world; often spending nights teaching himself the language of the next country in which he wanted to open a new venture, eventually learning four. He ultimately called Weston, Mass., Damariscotta and Nelson, New Zealand, his home.
Over the years, Cohen was involved in numerous civic and philanthropic causes locally, nationally and internationally. He was committed to supporting underprivileged youth, and following his father’s death established the Monte Cohen Scholarship Fund, which continues to provide aid to Tufts University students.
Cohen’s strongest passion was the protection of open space, which he felt was of vital concern. He not only inspired others to get involved with his tremendous commitment of time and energy, but also made his own substantial personal financial contributions, typically anonymously, to the causes to which he was dedicated.
In Massachusetts, he served as Chairman of the Weston Recreation Commission and as an officer of the Weston Forest and Trail Association, a non-profit organization founded to maintain open space and publicly-accessible trails. Cohen established the Fields Pond Foundation to provide financial support for similar land protection work throughout New England and New Zealand. He was an active member of the board of the Damariscotta River Association in Maine, and supported the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, as well as the Tasman Environmental Trust, in New Zealand.
Beside his wife Rhoda Rudman Cohen of Bangor, Lee Cohen is survived by son, Russell Cohen of Arlington, Mass.; daughters, Elizabeth Bercow of Sands Point, N.Y. and Nina Cohen of San Rafael, Cal.; sisters, Sylvia Gold of Los Angeles, Cal. and Elaine Paisner of Chestnut Hill, Mass.; in addition to three granddaughters.
The family is planning a private memorial service to be held at a later date.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Fields Pond Foundation, P.O. Box 540667, Waltham, MA 02454-0667, or to any other charity of choice.
E-condolences may be sent to: www.brascofuneralhome.com.
