William Irving Cohen

William "Bill" Irving Cohen of Charlotte NC, died peacefully on July 31, 2018. He was born in Hartford CT on March 13, 1922, the first of three children to Harry and Rose. Bill was devoted to his wife Anita, and was a loving father to his children Klaus, Elise, Daniel and Nancy and their partners. He was preceded by his first wife Dorothy. After serving as a radio repairman in World War II, Bill attended the University of Chicago and then the University of Connecticut, graduating with a degree in history. Bill ran the family music store Gallup & Alfred, a Hartford institution. He was also a skilled piano tuner, and continued servicing customers well into his 80's. Bill was passionate about classical music and was a talented pianist in his own right. He continuously studied languages and spoke fluent German and conversational Spanish. He was an avid reader who was never without a book. A hopeless news junkie, Bill was deeply interested in politics and spent many an evening yelling at the TV. He was proudly progressive. Bill had a healthy appetite and was a still capable of polishing off a rack of ribs at his last birthday. Physically fit, Bill was a lifelong member of the YMCA and delighted in beating younger opponents at racquetball. Bill's life was a long and happy one, and he will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Charlotte YMCA Simmons branch. Services will be private.