Elliot Sheldon Cohen, 82

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. – Elliot Sheldon Cohen, 82, of North Kingstown, passed away peacefully in his sleep early Aug. 11 in hospice. He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Linda McGovern Cohen of North Kingstown, his two daughters Candice L. Maynard of Lincoln and Andrea E. Hamson of Topsfield, Massachusetts, their husbands Christopher Maynard and Dale Hamson, his son Jeremy G. Cohen of Needham, Massachusetts and his wife Elina Litvak Cohen, his brother Robert Cohen of Arizona and his wife Dorothy Cohen, and his five grandchildren Jared and Justin Maynard, Shea and Ashley Hamson, and Francesca Marilyn Cohen.

After graduating from Classical High School, Class of 1953, he earned a B.A. from Brandeis University and a J.D. from Boston University’s School of Law. He was fond of reminding people that “all three were lousy when I was there.”

Over four decades, he built a successful legal practice based primarily in the real estate sector.  He’ll be remembered fondly by courthouse personnel across the state for his profound knowledge of the law, the speed with which he thought on his feet and his proclivity for tipping bailiffs, clerks and parking attendants at the holidays.  He’ll be remembered fondly by his clients and business partners for his honesty and his integrity, neither of which wavered in an era of temptation and gray areas.

He was a founding member of Temple Habonim in Barrington, he was a member of The Lions Club, and he was instrumental in the development of Lischio Field in Slocum.

An avid sports fan, he coached multiple Little and Senior League baseball teams in the 90s, and was known to leave work early in order to shuttle his players to and from games whenever they found themselves without transportation.  A bit excitable, he lamented in his later years that he was the only father who was ejected from a youth sporting event as both a coach and a fan. Nobody could doubt his passion.

Donations in his memory can be made to Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island, 959 N. Main St., Providence, RI 02904.