WILMINGTON — Ronald Bruce Cohen, 81, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2025.
Though a New Yorker at his core, born in Brooklyn on September 9, 1944, Ronald spent his life crisscrossing the globe charged by his passions for education, volunteer work, and the arts and humanities.
Shortly after completing his undergraduate studies in psychology at Hofstra University, Ronald served in the Peace Corps for three years throughout India. His perfect Hindi recital of “Jana Gana Mana,” the national anthem of India, was often the soundtrack of dinner parties, work meetings, and Costco shopping sprees.
When Ronald returned to the United States, his career focus transitioned to advocating for better learning environments in underserved school districts in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and West Virginia as a special education teacher. “Mr. Cohen” held an uncompromising belief that education is the key to success. He was known by students for his impressive Nike tennis shoe and Invicta wristwatch collection. Ronald continued his education at California State University, Northridge, where he earned a Master of Business Administration. His graduate thesis work examined the effects of school bullying on childhood development.
Ronald not only served his community inside the classroom but also dedicated his time outside the classroom to volunteering for pet adoption centers, teaching adult literacy courses, and serving as a home health aide for hospice patients.
During the AIDS crisis years, Ron contributed to the AIDS Memorial Quilt in Washington, D.C., which is considered the largest community arts project in history. Ron was a talented potter and visual sketch artist.
At home, he could be found curled up with his dogs, Scarlet and Cricket, popcorn and a Kindle e-reader nearby. But not even Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” or Leonard Cohen’s “First We Take Manhattan,” blaring full volume from his Sonos speakers, could keep him from “dozing.”
He is the son of Irvin and Fanya Cohen and brother of Robert and Dennis, and partner of Kenneth Bennett, all of whom preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the New Hanover Humane Society.
No services are scheduled at this time.
