Norman G. Cohen

DELMAR - Norman G. Cohen,75, of Delmar, NY died December 21, 2015; formerly of Niagara Falls NY and Rochester NY, husband of the late Mary Kay Cohen and, at the time of his passing, Donna (Liewer) Cohen; son of the late Abraham and Ethel Cohen of Rochester NY. Norman retired in 2003 as the Executive Secretary for the NY Boards for Social Work and Chiropractic after practicing as a clinical social worker for 30 years prior. He was an avid music lover and jazz musician, playing upright and electric bass with many notable musicians throughout his career. He wrote many books for children and adults, and for several years had a regular column in the Bethlehem Spotlight called "Family Matters." He is survived by his sons, Jonathan A. Cohen of Albany, Adrian Cohen of Brooklyn and Jordan T. Cohen (Monica Dunn Cohen) of Las Vegas, NV and their daughter Gina Mary; stepson Christopher D. Liewer of San Antonio, TX; brother Burt Cohen (Deborah Shaw Cohen) recently of Sag Harbor NY; also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was a force of goodness, laughter, peace, and strength for family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, postal workers and grocery clerks. He embraced the opportunity to leave a body challenged by ALS with valor, determination, and gratitude for the rich life he was privileged to experience. A memorial celebration will be held later in January, to be announced in local newspapers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support people with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease) be sent to St. Peter's Regional ALS Center, 19 Warehouse Row, Albany NY 12205 or the Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205.