NATICK: Stanley Boris Cohen, age 90, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully on Friday afternoon, March 13, 2015. He was the devoted husband of Irene (Antinori) Cohen for 64 years.
Born in Winthrop, he was a son of the late Albert and Loretta (Atlas) Cohen. Stanley was raised in Mattapan and was a graduate of Hyde Park High School. He continued his education at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point, New York. Founded in 1936, the academy was literally being built around the candidates in Stan’s class as they studied.
Stanley served with the Merchant Marine from February 1943 until he transferred to the US Navy in April of 1944. With the Merchant Marine Cadet Corps, he saw combat aboard Liberty ships in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern War Zones. Upon joining the Navy, he traveled to the other side of the world to serve the next two-plus years in the Pacific Theatre. An Electrician’s Mate, the majority of his time was spent on the USS Landing Ship Medium 125, affectionately known as the “buck and a quarter.” In his later years he attended several LCS and LSM reunions across the country.
While working at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy after the war, Stan met and courted Irene. They married and settled in her hometown of Natick in 1951, and have remained in their home ever since. Stan joined the United States Postal Service and was employed as a letter carrier in the Walnut Hill and West Natick areas for over 30 years. After his retirement, he transported Natick Public School special needs students for many years.
Stanley and Irene enjoyed time spent with family and friends, whether on day trips or at home, and he relished the role of “Poppa” to his three grandchildren. A longstanding member of the Natick VFW Post #1274, he was particularly active in veteran’s events and services in the Town of Natick. Stan read the presidential proclamation each year at the Veteran’s Day ceremonies on the Natick Common and was ready to help in any capacity at veterans’ functions throughout the year. He assisted veterans in need where possible, and could regularly be seen joining mourners at a cemetery to salute a fellow veteran one last time.
He is survived by Irene, their two sons and daughter, Stan Cohen of Natick, Ron Cohen and his wife Donna of Natick, and Lynne Kutensky and her husband Steve of Gloucester; his grandchildren, Kim, Jeff, and Neil; a brother, Nat Cohen and his wife Frances of Eastchester, NY; a brother-in-law, Eugene Antinori and his wife Patricia of Natick; and many nieces and nephews. Stanley was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Vincent Evangelista and his wife Catherine.
His funeral will be held in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Wednesday, March 18th at 12:00 noon. Burial with military honors will follow in Saint Patrick Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, 4 – 7PM. Donations may be made in Stan’s memory to the Natick Service Council, 2 Webster Street, Natick, MA 01760.