Cohen, Jules A.

North Kingstown

 With a combination of wit, creativity and leadership, Jules Alan Cohen, 90, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at The Seasons at St. Elizabeth leaving a legacy of accomplishment in sports, community activities and his favorite hobby, gardening.. He was the beloved husband of Diana (Kane) Cohen for 39 years. Born in Chicago, IL, he was a son of the late Herbert and Rosaline (Goldberg) Cohen, he had lived in North Kingstown for 38 years.
He graduated from Yale University in 1955, he excelled in fencing and tennis. He was New England Amateur Tennis Champion for 12 years which eventually led to enshrinement in the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport in the 1960’s, for which he has a place in the New England Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. In 1962, he was a Candidate for the Providence City Council. He was a Professor Emeritus of Rhode Island College for 14 years, and a computer consultant for 25 years, retiring in 1998. Jules was a 1st Lieutenant of Artillery in the Army. Serving in Korea during Peacetime. During his time in the Boy Scouts, he received the Silver Beaver award, he later would serve as a Board Member and a trustee for Rhode Island Boy Scouts, and was a chair member for the Jewish Committee of Scouting.  In more recent years, he was an accomplished golfer, was president of the South Eastern New England Golf Association for 12 years and was an official in the RI Golf Association.
He served as a former President with a variety of community based organizations: the Narragansett Council B.S.A, the Kent County Visiting Nurse Association, a leader of a series of speaking programs at the North Kingstown Senior Association, the Greenwich Club, and Friends of Beechwood.
His interest in gardening led him in many directions including serving as president of the RI Wild Plant Society, the Master Gardener Foundation of Rhode Island, and was one of the earliest presidents URI Master Gardener Association. With his wife Diana, Jules developed a garden paradise around their home in North Kingstown, centered around a natural pond.
With a finely honed sense of humor, he took part in the first Master Gardener Strategic Planning Retreat in 2004 shortly after the construction of the first MG greenhouse at URI’s East Farm. During that session, when discussion dealt with the desire for more volunteerism not only at East Farm but in the community, he dubbed the group of volunteers at East Farm with the title “Rudi’s Rangers”—a week later, Jules being Jules, he produced “Rudi’s Rangers” lapel buttons and distributed them. Today that group of women and men continues volunteer work not only at East Farm but as far and wide as the RI Veterans Home in Bristol to the Narragansett Tribal Farm in Westerly.
He was also a former member of: the East Greenwich Rotary Club, the East Greenwich Zoning Board of Review, the RI Commission to Encourage Morality in Youth, the Potowomut Golf Club, the Yale Alumni Association, University Club, Bayside Family Healthcare and the Providence Country Day School Alumni Committee (Class of 1951), the Warwick Heights Tennis Club, URI Hillel, Mayside Family Healthcare, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island.

Devoted father of Joanne Hayes, her husband, Wade “Sonny” Hayes of Atlanta, GA, Stuart Cohen of Hartford, CT, Peter Cohen, his wife, Kelly of Greensboro, NC; a dedicated step-father to John Barrengus, his wife Kate, Andrew Barrengus, his wife Kate, Ann Broderick, her husband Michael, and Julie Gebler. Loving grandfather of thirteen. Cherished great-grandfather of one.

Dear brother of the late Robert Cohen.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 4 at 11:00 a.m. in Temple Beth-El. Shiva will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Providence Country Day School, the RI Wild Plant Society, or the North Kingstown Senior Association, “in memoriam of Jules Cohen,” P.O. Box 313, North Kingstown, RI 02852.

To view the pre-recorded service, please click here.

13 Comments

  1. Frances and John Topping
    Jun 1, 2024

    Jules was a tremendous help to RIWPS flower show committee. His energy, organization and recruitment were valued. He will be missed by many. Our condolences to Dede and the rest of the family. His joviality and enthusiasm was notable.

    • Stuart A Cohen
      Jun 2, 2024

      Dear Mr. and Mrs. Topping,

      Thank you for the kind words. Dad will be missed by many. He set a standard in life very few could have achieved. On behalf of Dede, my brother and Sister, thank you dearly.

      Stuart A. Cohen

  2. Ladd Cook
    Jun 2, 2024

    My sincere condolences to all of
    you— many of whom I have not
    seen in years— including Jules—
    until he and Dee Dee moved in
    to The Seasons facility. It had been
    years since we saw each other and
    am grateful for the limited time
    we spent together at The Seasons
    getting caught — I will cherish
    those times forever— what a great
    friend and gentlemen he was!!!!
    Ladd

    • Stuart A Cohen
      Jun 2, 2024

      Thank you for the kind words Ladd.

  3. Susan Saunders
    Jun 2, 2024

    I am so sorry to hear of Jules passing. I think of you often and hope that you and the kids are, otherwise, doing well. May his memory be a blessing.

    • Stuart A Cohen
      Jun 5, 2024

      Susan on behalf of our family, thank you for the wonderful note.

  4. Pat Clifford
    Jun 3, 2024

    I only knew Jules and DeDe from going to PT. Such a beautiful couple. I am so sorry for your loss, I always looked forward to seeing them. May your memories give you comfort during this difficult time.

  5. David Filipek
    Jun 4, 2024

    Jules was a great colleague and a friend at RIC. He has a great rapport with the students and such a great attitude toward life. He and my late Dad also shared many common tennis opponents back in the day! Condolences and peace to all Jules’ family.

    • Stuart A Cohen
      Jun 5, 2024

      David, thank you for the wonderful comments. I believe I remember your dad from when I was a child and traveled to numerous tennis tournaments with him. On behalf of our family, many thanks.

  6. John Uhoch
    Jun 4, 2024

    Our deepest condolences to the entire family. Jules was a treasure to so many people and organizations, blessed with interpersonal and leadership skills, always enhanced with a wonderful sense of humor. He made a difference

    • Stuart A Cohen
      Jun 5, 2024

      On behalf of our family, thank you for the very kind words.

  7. Frank P. DeLeone
    Jun 13, 2024

    Dear Dede and family,
    Jules was our good friend for sixty years,our memories of him and his family are all such happy ones. He was the perfect role model for all of us. We will miss him.
    With our deepest sympathies,
    Frank, Mary Ellen and Family

  8. Stephen DeMetrick
    Jul 22, 2024

    I provided technical services to Jules when he was at Leesona. Later shared many hours together as Master Gardners. He always met me with a smile. He was a warm, friendly man and always the gentleman.

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