U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of WWII
Published November 21, 2019
ANDOVER — William E. Cohan, 94, of Andover, formerly of North Reading and East Boston, died on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at Lawrence General Hospital. He was the loving husband of the late Frances (Tobin) Cohan.
Born in East Boston on August 8, 1925, he was the son of the late William A. and Theresa (Finnegan) Cohan. William was a graduate of Boston College High School in 1942, Boston College in 1949 with a B.S. in Physics, and later receiving his master’s degree in Physics at Boston College.
He was a dedicated U.S. Army Air Corps Veteran of World War II, serving from 1944 to 1945.
William was an EVP in sales with Westinghouse from 1950-1960 and Varian Associates from 1960-1990. He owned and operated his own real estate company in North Reading with his wife, Frances, for many years. He was a resident of Andover for over 40 years. He was an active member of St. Augustine’s Church in Andover and the Knights of Columbus.
He enjoyed his family and friends. He was a loving dad of eight kids. He had a quick wit and was always telling jokes. There are so many fond memories and great times. William was a very loving husband and a huge advocate of education. He was an outgoing, generous and fun guy. He enjoyed skiing locally and out West with his children, and loved to vacation with his dear wife, the love of his life.
Family members include his loving sons, the late William E. Cohan Jr., Mark R. Cohan, Michael J. Cohan and his wife Patricia (Demetri) Cohan, Christopher T. Cohan, John F. Cohan and his wife JoAnne (Krocker) Cohan, and Paul M. Cohan; daughters, Mary K. Dascoli and Tracey F. Lacroix; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Edna Lawlor and Dorothy Doherty.
His funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, November 21 at 9:30 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Augustine’s, 43 Essex Street, Andover. Calling hours were held on Wednesday, November 20. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. To leave an online condolence please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
