Lyman H. Cohen

Lyman H. Cohen, age 104, died on Friday July 10, 2026 at home, surrounded by family. He was born on April 2, 1922 in Rochester, NY.

His family moved to Erie when he was a toddler. A graduate of Academy High School, he also earned an Associate’s degree from Erie Business College. He was married to the love of his life, Marylin Bernstein Cohen, for 65 wonderful years. A real gentleman as well as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, he believed in tithing and was very active in the community. He served as president of the Jewish Community Council and Temple Anshe Hesed and on many boards in the community including GECAC, Booker T. Washington Center, and the Erie County Retirees’ Association. In 1974 Lyman was named the first winner of what was to be an annual Humanitarian of the Year Award.

He began his career at the Erie Dock and worked there for 13 years before moving to Cincinnati to work for his wife’s family’s dress manufacturing business. He moved back to Erie a few years later and with his wife, opened The Fabric Shop downtown. When the Fabric Shop closed after 20 years, he was hired by Erie County and retired as the director of Domestic Relations.

Lyman loved jazz and had an extensive record collection, which was donated to Mercyhurst University and resides in the Cohen Collection.

He is survived by his daughters Amy Paul (Jerry Newfarmer) of Cincinnati and Julie of Erie, his nephews Jonah Paul (Alisa) of Pittsburgh and Martin Paul (Beverly Luedeker) of Cincinnati, great-granddaughters Abigail and Mollie Paul and grandson Garrett Paul, his sister Dr. Millicent (Mimi) Golschmidt of Houston, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and his dog, Joy. He was preceded in death by his wife Marylin and his son-in-law Howard Paul.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 on Monday, July 13, 2026 at Temple Anshe Hesed, 5401 Old Zuck Road with Rabbi S. Robert Morais officiating. Visitation will be from 1:30 to 3:00 preceding the funeral. Burial following in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Arrangements in care of the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services, Inc. West Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Temple Anshe Hesed or the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest PA.