Charles I. Cohen

Charles I. Cohen, of Granville, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Riverside Hospital in Columbus. He was 89. Charles was born on August 28, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York. He moved to Granville with his wife, Eleanor, in 1960 to work at the Owens Corning Fiberglas Technical Center, where he retired as a member of the senior technical staff after 25 years.

Charles was the son of classic New York City “garmentos” Meyer and Doris Cohen, whose family clothing business he was happy not to inherit. His early experiences were equally classic 1940s and ‘50s Brooklyn, at a time when the neighborhood was the birthplace of dozens of 20th-century Hollywood honchos, famous inventors, and entrepreneurial titans. All the iconic associations–stickball, cars and fast-talking mobsters’ kids–made up a Brooklyn boyhood back in the day. Fond memories of tagging along with a favorite uncle who photographed glamorous nightclub patrons resulted in a lifetime love of photography. Summers in the Catskills and the Adirondacks rounded out a classic Brooklyn boyhood.

After graduating from New Utrecht High School, a passion for science led to Brooklyn College, where Charles met Eleanor Banka, who would be his wife of 63 years. After receiving a graduate degree from Columbia University, he began a career in the sciences at Owens Corning with a move to the Midwest that was both a culture shock and an adventure.

Charles was an early computer user, operating electron and optical microscopes and x-ray equipment and working with colleagues as a materials analyst. He was also a member of Sigma Xi and American Ceramics Society.

In addition to geology and chemistry, Charles–Charlie to family and friends–was a computer enthusiast at home, building and tweaking his own personal computer systems. Beyond computers, there was little he couldn’t fix, build, or solve, and was always more than glad to lend a hand to anyone who needed fixing, building, or solving.

He had a lifelong love of music, and he leaves behind an impressive record collection of classical Baroque, symphony and chamber music, Gregorian chants, classic jazz, modern composition and more. He couldn’t be in a room without music–every space he occupied was wired for sound–and he loved attending concerts whenever possible. He was also a bicycle enthusiast for most of his life, tinkering and riding whenever time permitted.

Charles leaves behind his wife, Eleanor, and daughter, Michelle (Stanley Peck) Cohen of New York, NY, as well as many cousins.

A private funeral service was held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville. A memorial celebration will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Monday, August 28, in the Pub at Otterbein Granville, 2158 Columbus Road in Granville.

McPeek Hoekstra Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Charles and his family.