Obituary of Robert Cohn

COHN -- Robert, 81, of Lake Worth, FL, formerly of Glenmont, NY, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2010 after a brief illness. Bob was born in Binghamton, New York, on August 25, 1928, the 3rd of 4 sons of the late Myer and Mollie Cohn. He grew up in Albany, NY, graduating from Albany High School and the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. He began his real estate career in the mid-1950's in Albany. In the late 1960's Bob and two partners created Cohn Yaguda and Cronin Realty. He was a pioneer in marketing commercial and industrial real estate in the Capital District, helping to found the first commercial MLS system and separate board of commercial brokers. Seeing a market need for a commercial real estate-only brokerage firm, Bob formed Robert Cohn Associates (RCA) in 1979. RCA quickly emerged as a strong presence in upstate NY and the dominant commercial realty firm for a generation in Albany. During his years managing RCA, he achieved the distinguished industry designations from the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors and Certified Commercial Investment Member. Robert Cohn Associates was consistently ranked as the #1 Commercial Brokerage firm by the Business Review and was awarded the Small Business of the Year award in 1999 by the Albany Colonie Chamber of Commerce. In 1998, Robert Cohn Associates was invited to become a partner office of industry giant CB Richard Ellis. Bob retired and moved to Florida in 2001. Bob is survived by: his wife Lisa; daughters Debra A. Cohn of Washington, DC and Cynthia Cohn Morris (Keith) of New Canaan, CT; step-children Judi (Richard) Anders of New Canaan, CT, Brett Goldstock (Suzy Pessutti) of San Diego, CA, and Ross Goldstock of Palm Bay, FL; grandchildren Jake and Drew Morris, Caitlin, Ryan, Ilene, and Will Anders, and Jordan, Justin, and Joshua Goldstock; brothers Edwin (Roberta) of Albany, NY, Gerald (Sandra) of Boca Raton, FL, and Morton (Iris) of Commack, NY; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family; countless friends and colleagues; and his adored dog, Ruby. He was predeceased by his wife Elaine Frisch Cohn. A memorial service will be held on May 16 at 3 pm at the Rubin Memorial Chapel, 7340 Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach, FL; the family will observe shiva on May 16 from 5-7 pm and May 17 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at 8501 Golden Cypress Ct., Lake Worth, FL. A second memorial service will be held on May 24 at 12 pm at Congregation Beth Emeth, 100 Academy Road, Albany, NY. Visiting hours to follow immediately following the service at the home of Jeffrey and Phyllis Sperry, 101 Euclid Avenue, Albany, NY. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Autism Speaks, 5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2250, Los Angeles, CA 90036 or at https://secure.autismspeaks.org/page/contribute/donate1.