Over the course of his 23-year career as a sports-entertainment executive, Ed Cohen was known throughout the arena and stadium industry for his unique presence on the telephone. A phone call from Ed was always received with rapt attention and rapid action. His final call was Saturday night, August 25, 2018, at 10PM when his resonant voice of authority, passion, humor and friendship was silenced. Ed was 62 years of age.
Edward S. Cohen of Lincoln, Rhode Island, husband of Cheryl (Schadone), was born on February 6, 1956, to Phyllis (Genden) Cohen and George Cohen of Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Ed was a 1978 graduate of Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, where he played varsity baseball for four years, was the team’s co-captain his senior year, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management.
In 1982, Ed’s appetite for both entertainment and athletics led him to a small company on Cape Cod where he was among the first employees of Titan Sports. He contributed to the national and international growth of that fledgling company, today recognized globally as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Ed retired as Senior Vice President in 2005. Throughout his colorful career Ed was responsible for routing all WWE live events by booking thousands of dates at arenas and stadiums around-the-world.
Over the years, Ed was a familiar face at industry meetings including the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) and the Event and Arena Marketing Conference (EAMC). In recognition of his work, Ed was honored by Roger Williams University when they granted him an Honorary Doctor of Humanitarian Service Degree (2000). He has also been inducted into the Event and Arena Marketing Conference Hall of Fame (2014), and the New England Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame (2015).
This summer, Ed and Cheryl Cohen celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary. They had been married on June 17, 2008, in Aruba, joined by dozens of friends, family members and many former colleagues. Cheryl, herself, is a former WWE colleague of Ed’s. Her work in the venue industry continues as a marketing executive for the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
To some people on the other end of the phone, Ed might have been considered pugnacious because, professionally, he was relentless in his representation of World Wrestling Entertainment. Those who knew Ed well, however, were aware of his abiding concern for, and loyalty to, his friends. Those who shared his love of music knew that he was a fan of “The Great American Songbook.” Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and Bobby Darin were among his idols; members of the Mills Brothers family were among his friends, as was the legendary comedian, Henny Youngman. Ed’s interest in sports continued throughout his life. Despite his New England roots, he was a proud fan of the New York Yankees.
Besides Cheryl, mourning the loss of Ed Cohen are members of Cheryl Cohen’s family including Ed’s mother-in-law, Joan Schadone; brother-in-law Gregory Schadone; sister-in-law, Tina Schadone; niece Danielle Schadone; nephew, Matthew Schadone; and family friend Ryan Perry. Ed will be missed, as well, by his canine family, which includes Dexter, Madison and Sidney.
A Funeral will be held Wednesday August 29th at 9:30am in Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Street, Providence, RI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Providence Animal Rescue League, 34 Elbow St, Providence, RI 02903 or to the CharterCare Foundation, 7 Waterman Ave, North Providence, RI 02911.