Howard Gary Cohen's Obituary
Mr. Howard Gary “Poppi” Cohen, age 80, sadly passed away on December 8, 2025 from complications with Parkinson’s disease.
Born on June 30, 1945 at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, he was the second son of Joseph and Lillian Cohen. Howard spent his early years in the areas of Midwood where he was bar mitzvahed and in Borough Park with his beloved grandparents.
In 1963 at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served on military bases across the Pacific, including Vietnam and Japan. Upon returning to the States in 1967, Howard began working in commercial lighting sales, getting his start at the New York-based Lightolier Company where he learned the tools of the trade. His career in the lighting world grew enormously, first in the United States, then throughout South and Central America, and later across Europe.
He was a highly sought after executive whose accomplishments included illuminating the locks of the Panama Canal. He founded Poulsen Lighting USA where he served as President and CEO of the US subsidiary of the innovative Danish company. In 1993, he also earned two patents for inventing power system modules for recessed lighting systems. Later in his career, Howard became a Retirement Planning Specialist and Financial Consultant for AXA/Equitable, becoming one of the firm’s top advisors known for the tremendous care he took of his clients, many of whom became close friends.
His life as a dedicated family man came into focus soon after leaving the military. In 1969, at a mixer for young singles on the Upper West Side, he met Judith Gilfarb; two weeks later they were engaged to be married. A few years later, Howard and Judith moved from Westfield, New Jersey to North Miami Beach, Florida where they raised their three daughters. Throughout their 56 years together, Howard and Judith traveled the world and beamed as they watched their daughters and granddaughters blossom. They spent their later years in Broward County with their beloved and only son, Mulder, their mini doxie.
Howard is survived by his wife, Judith, daughters Laura, Jennifer, and Natalie, son-in-law Vonley, granddaughters Sophie, Micah, and Emma, and family pets Gigi, Willa, and Danzig. The family extends their tremendous gratitude and appreciation to all of the caregivers, especially Charmaine, Camille, Hyacinth, Vanessa and Terisa, who provided around-the-clock care and friendship for Howard and made it possible for him to remain at home.
A fighter until the very end, Howard is now at peace sitting on the beach grinning ear to ear with his best friends Joe Shapiro and Mulder by his side.
We love you forever, Poppi.
The family requests donations be made in memory of Howard G. Cohen to the
Parkinson’s Foundation, https://www.parkinson.org and The Michael J. Fox Foundation, https://www.michaeljfox.org.
To view live: https://www.shiva.com/m08y8b49
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