ALBERT DIAMOND COHEN

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ALBERT DIAMOND COHEN Peacefully, on Monday, November 21, 2011 Albert D. Cohen passed away at Grace Hospital after a brief illness. Beloved husband of 58 years to Irena, loving father to Anthony (Anita) of Toronto, James (Linda) of Winnipeg and Anna-Lisa (Michael) of New York City and grandpa to Shae-Lynn, Athena, Jaden and Stella; he will be greatly missed. He was predeceased by his parents Alec and Rose and his five brothers Sam, Harry, Chauncey, Morley and Joseph. Born on January 20, 1914 to a poor immigrant family in Winnipeg's North End, Albert rose to spectacular heights as a legendary Canadian entrepreneur, business executive, philanthropist and author. Forever known as the man who brought Sony to Canada and the world after signing the first ever export agreement with what became the Sony Corporation, he also introduced Canada to the Paper-Mate pen in the early 1950's. He started an import company with his father which would become General Distributors and later Gendis Inc. and included real estate holdings, oil and gas properties, investments in pipelines and several retail chains including SAAN Stores Ltd., Metropolitan Stores and Greenberg Stores. Dad was also a great believer in giving back to the community and supported institutions including the University of Manitoba, St. John's - Ravenscourt School, Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Banff Centre, various Winnipeg area hospitals and many others too numerous to mention. He served two terms as President of MTC during which time he helped oversee construction of the current theatre facility. He was part of a group who helped save St. John's -Ravenscourt School in the mid 1970's during an acute financial crisis. In addition, he also served as President of the Winnipeg Clinic Research Foundation and was a board member of the Du Maurier Arts Council. He also took particular pride in getting involved and turning a local business award into the University of Manitoba's premier event every year, the IDEA Award (International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award) which recognizes business prowess and integrity and has attracted international figures to Winnipeg on an annual basis since it was first envisioned. Dad volunteered for and served proudly in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1943 to 1946 during and just after the Second World War and was stationed out of Halifax and Digby, Nova Scotia. The author of four business books, his first, The Entrepreneurs , was a best selling business book in Canada in 1985 when it was published. For all of his many contributions Albert received the Order of Canada initially as a member in 1983 and later as an officer in 1994. This past summer he also received the rare distinction of being recognized by a foreign government when he received the Order of Japan at a ceremony specially held in Winnipeg for all of his work in promoting economic relations between Canada and Japan. In 1994 Albert was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. In 1987 he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Manitoba. Albert was also an avid speed skater and held several Canadian records in the over 70 age category something he always noted with pride. He was also a member at Glendale Golf Club for many decades where he was famous for walking 18 holes pulling a cart into his mid-90's! Dad led a very full life with few regrets and instilled the values of integrity and honesty in each one of his three children. He would stop and talk to anyone and took pleasure in telling stories related to his many years of business and travel experiences. The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses and orderlies at Grace Hospital who treated him with dignity, kindness and respect during his few weeks there as well as his personal caregiver Mort Shuster with whom he shared some pleasant times in the past few months. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the charity of your choice. A private family funeral will be held with interment at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. The family plans on having a celebration of Albert's remarkable life at a later date. Rest well Dad...we will love you forever.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 23, 2011