Al Cohen

Al Cohen

John Leonhardt Remembered · Bishop Robert F. Garner · Al Cohen · Joseph F. Beckmeyer Sr. · Ray Facundo · Joe Porta · Tommy Schefter

ALAN COHEN, 64, of LAKEHURST

Published in the Asbury Park Press 3/8/01

ALAN COHEN, 64, of LAKEHURST, died Sunday at Philadelphia Frankfort Torresdale Hospital. He retired from William Grant and Co. in 1990. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, Springfield, a former member of the Reilly Raiders, Hawthorne Caballeros and Ballantine Brewers Drum and Bugle Corps. Born in Newark, he was a resident of Ocean County.

Surviving are his wife, Sunny Cohen; two daughters, Jennifer and Kim; a stepson, Steven; a brother, Herb Cohen; a grandson, Daniel; and a nephew, Barry.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Saul Funeral Home, 3795 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Colonial Memorial Park, Hamilton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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A personal tribute to Al Cohen....

I marched with Al in 1953 and 1954. We had the honor and thrill of winning the first contest ever in Reading, PA ('53) and the first national championship in Washington, D.C. ('54). After leaving to go into service many years passed before I talked to Al again. I had relocated several times and only found the Blessed Sacrament web page about two years ago. When I signed the guest book Al was the first one to get in touch with me. It was like we never missed a step. We exchanged telephone calls almost every week. When I think about it, Sunny and Al were like next door neighbors (although a thousand miles apart). Our conversations brought drum corps back into my life. Al sent me recordings of "the good old days" and the latest Golden Knight performances. He never asked for anything in exchange other than the satisfaction of knowing how much I enjoyed them. It was quite evident that Al had stayed in the main stream of drum corps.

I honestly think Al would have been lost without drum corps and his recording hobby. He could recall events, names, and occasions I had long forgotten. He had kept up with so many people that were a part of the maturation of the Golden Knights. He appreciated the talent and dedication it takes to field a group of individuals as a cohesive unit. For those of you that can remember, doesn't everyone enjoy looking back when it was our time to pass in review with another first place in the bag...when Al was among many others contributing to the success of the Black & Gold.

I have lost a friend who I had found after many years. Quite a few of the young men who marched in the Blessed Sacrament Cadets have passed away....Take amoment to rember Al. He always thought of those that went before him. He is to many people what drum corps is all about.

Sunny your loss is shared by many. May God bless and keep you.

John Grogan

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I first knew Al in 1967 at the symphony hall show in Newark. All the rookies would hang with al so that maybe we get some respect from the older guys. It didn't work…they kicked our asses anyway. He always encourage the new guys and helped us in many ways. He would come to Paterson to give us a ride to Clinton Ave. Newark. After 25 years , army, family work and kids we meet again with the alumni corps. I love him for the passion and dedication he had for our corps. We became 3rd soprano section partners. He loved to play with the horn line. Al, thank you for your comradeship after all these years. I will miss you very much. Our hearts and prayers to you Sunny .

Mike & Imelda Diaz

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March 9, 2001

Today we laid to rest one of our family members. This man was a simple man but to those of us whose lives he touched we all grew to love him. His name was Alan Cohen. I met Al in 1969 when I had the honor and pleasure to become a member of the greatest corps of all times, The Golden Knights. We all in our rookie years looked up to those old guy's who made it all happen and we just carried on the tradition. Well today we honored one of those icons who will live in our hearts forever. Today the Golden Knight family was there for Al and Sunny, Mike Diaz was a pallbearer and also played AMAZING GRACE while when the service was over Gary Dickelman and Al's brother said a prayer in Hebrew. This could only be done by members of a loving caring group of men and women that belong to our family. I will always remember Al selling T-shirts at practice and at competitions. I will also every time i get off the stage or walk off the field and step over recording wire's I will remember my friend. So Al, here's to you: May God give you peace and watch over you for eternity and may He bless your family forever. SHALOM my friend - we will miss you.

Fred Kniss

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I just found this site and was imediately saddened by hearing of Al's death. I marched with Al in 52-54 (I was in John Leonhardt's squad). I've never known a finer person or greater friend of drum corps. I am looking forward to seeing the corps in Lakewood in July.

Clem Surak

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My condolences to Sunny, Al was a great friend of mine.

Bill Semanek

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My heart was saddened on learning of Al’s passing. I last had contact with Al at the Dream in Lakewood. We stood and talked about past years like it was yesterday. The friendship was still strong even though we have not had much contact over the years. I enjoyed talking with Al about drum corps, old times and life in general. I can only thank God for allowing me to know Al, a great friend and a true Golden Knight. I know Al is at peace on the starting line in his new drum corps in the sky.

So Al “Throw the ball junior”.

We will all miss you and may God bless and watch over his family. Sunny, our prayers are with you.

Bob Payne

G.K. 1962-1966

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Al was all that was good in d&b...friend and a nice person...I will always remember Al there when i was a young kid trying to be a Golden Knight...he told me that we were more important as friends then as just a bunch of kids playing on a field...I will miss Al...he always had the kindness in his heart that made him a good friend..

Does anyone one remember al at the dream when we beat the Cavies...he was like a new proud father..think he might have even had a beer with us that night..lol..he was all smiles and all heart...him and bush made us feel the pride of being a Golden Knight..it was good to hear his stories about the past b.s.g.k. corps...i was the youngest of 3 knights to march and I can say for my brothers he was a friend and a brother...

Bob Ruth

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I was very saddened to learn of Al Cohen's passing. I had never met Al, but I came to know him here at the BSGK page. I was looking for recent tapes of the corps and Al was the first to offer his help and to send me rehearsal tapes. We exchanged e-mails now and then and found that we had some similarities between us. I will miss seeing his funny entries and e-mails. He was one of the special ones. My heartfelt sympathies to Sunny and to the entire family.

Bob Love - BSGK 1963 to 1966.

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We have lost another link to our glorious past;someone who was a winner in every way. Al was the kind of person we all wish we could be. I regret that the last time I saw Al, I didn't spend more time with him. Unfortunately, it seems it is always that way when we lose someone we care about. So pick up the phone or send an e-mail to a friend today.

Mickey Ruth

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I always called Al Cohen, Uncle Al. I first met Al when I marched with BS in the great '70 season. He offered his house to a bunch of us who lived outside of the area during competition season. With the long weekends he was ready for 7 or 8 guys to sleep at his place. He kept food and fresh linens and towels for us. He was family. From that time through the present he was my Uncle Al and Sunny became my adopted Aunt Sunny. I have fond memories of my Uncle and will cherish them forever. Please say hello to Bobby Hamilton and The Bush for me.

Bob Vivalo

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Mr. Cohen left a most profound impression on my life. If there was ever a person known to teach only love, Al was it -- by example alone. In my prayers, I can only thank God for the many BSGKs who helped mould us all by setting such an example continuously. His energy will continue on in my heart.

Ed Lovis

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My condolences to Sunny and the BSGK family. Al was one of the good guys. Last time I saw him was last year at the Dream in Lakewood. I told Al that my brother was looking for an ancient recording of the Bridgemen, and sure enough, Al showed up at the Dream with a cassette with exactly what he was looking for. He was a good hearted guy, and I'll miss him!

Glen Johnson

Corps Manager

Skyliners

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Al was a great individual and will be missed by many. To me, he was a great friend much like the "Bush". Al was becoming another Stetson D. Richmond.He played and lived as a Golden Knight

John F.J. Tully , B.S. 1991-1995.

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Al Cohen was a true friend who Jan and I shall truly miss. I remember Al always being around during my BSGK junior corps days - telling us stories of the corps and encouraging us. What I recall most is my experience getting to the VFW Nationals in Miami to compete in 1970. Because of a lousy work schedule I couldn't travel with the corps, and I didn't know how I would get there. While I was standing around the parking lot to see the corps off, several guys - John Demko, Fran Haynes, and Al Cohen - slipped me enough money to fly down to Miami. I had never been on a plane, and was clueless about getting from the airport to where the corps was staying. Miraculously, Al Cohen showed up at Newark airport around the time I was to board my flight. He changed my ticket to his flight and took care of me. We first visited his brother in Miami, then he made sure I had a good meal, then drove me to the corps, and quietly went about his business. That was Al.

In 1991 I assisted several of the BS guys, including Al Cohen, with the formation of the alumni corps. During that time Al learned that my then-fiance Jan was about to have colon surgery of a type that he had experienced. He didn't know Jan, but he took the time to find her number and he called her to chat and allay her concerns about the surgery. Afterward he followed up with another call, then touched bases with us from time to time to be sure that everything was okay. Again, that was Al.

During the intervening years Al would call to catch up on things, report on the corps, and he even reserved tickets for us at the Dixie Stinger one year (we live close to Baltimore). When I returned to the corps in 2000, Al expressed delight and remarked at how much I looked like my 1960s self in the contrabass line.

And more recently, he and Sunny were sharing their mementos of the corps - including full copies of the BS yearbooks '54 - '56 - and putting me in touch with others who had such treasures so that I could make the Album site as complete as possible.

Al was a delight - a most decent and kind human being. Our hearts go out to Sunny - and we'll remember Al as we say kaddish....

Gary Dickelman

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Dear Sunny:

My sincere condolences for your loss.

If I may I simply would like to state that as a young kid when I first joined in 1970, Al in his own way helped to make me feel comfortable. He easily and without effort helped me for example to see humor, and from this to "belong" as a "new guy" within the rich BSGK. THIS is a mark of a great person with character, who will I am certain be missed. God bless and godspeed to Al.

Most sincerly,

Greg Imhoff

BSGK 1970 - 1972.

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I always wanted to meet Al Cohen, and had that privilege at the 2000 GAS Reunion. As Al took pictures and recorded things, Sunny and I helped Jimmy McConkey prepare to conduct Archie's "Stars and Stripes." Al was everything other drum corps folks told me he would be. Friendly, funny, full of drum corps lore (especially about his beloved Golden Knights)and the type of guy you would want "to be on your elbow," and in your rank, in the toughest competition. From that brief time, and from the outpouring of respect and love that I have seen for Al on this Website and numerous others, it is clear that the drum corps world is greatly diminshed by his loss. Sunny, please accept my sympathy, and warm regards. I too will remember Al as I say kaddish.

Joel Leson

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Dear Sunny,

My deepest sympathy for your loss. I am sorry that I was unable to attend the wake. I did not receive the news until it was too late. I was going to send you a private email, but I decided that maybe some drum corp people would like to remember the friendship that Al and my brother John shared. John had many friends in drum corp, but only a few meant as much to him as Al did. (John Demko and Tommy B to name a couple)

I remember:

Al telling me how he valued my brother's friendship because he could always count on him.

Al and John affectionately calling each other names that are not considered politically correct today.

Al driving to White Rock Lake with so many people in the car that one was sitting under the dashboard on the passenger side.

Al sitting in our kitchen on Marne Street smiling.

Mostly I remember the smiling.

Again, Sunny, my deepest sympathy. No others can feel the loss as you do, but he will be missed. Perhaps, Gabriel and my brother wanted to form a trio. I'd like to think that is why he was called.

Sincerely,

Ginny Leonhardt

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I want to thank all of you from my heart for your tributes to Al. I cannot tell you what your presence did for me last Thursday and Friday - all the love and support that Al bragged about to everyone about the Golden Knights was very much in evidence this past week. I thank Mike for playing for Al and Fred Kniss for your wonderfully kind words and all of you who extended themselves to me in my grief. I hope to remain a part of the Golden Knights because you are my family now.

Love,

Sunny

Don't be afraid to call me (home-215-788-3459 work 215-569-5500 ex 4148). Just make sure you leave your name and number. God bless all of you wonderful people.