Howard Cohen, Savannah’s renowned weight lifter and coach, has passed away

Howard Cohen, the patriarch of Savannah’s well-known Cohen weightlifting family, passed away at the age of 91 on Thursday, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and passion for the sport. A graduate of Benedictine Military School and Armstrong College, Cohen served in the Air Force during the Korean War before opening Savannah’s first weightlifting gym in 1952.

Despite his small stature, standing at 5-foot-3 and weighing about 150 pounds, Cohen excelled in weightlifting, becoming a 10-time Pan American champion and winning 32 national championships. He coached his son, Michael Cohen, who went on to make the U.S. Olympic Weightlifting Team in 1980 and later coached Olympic squads in 2000 and 2004.

Cohen’s love for weightlifting stemmed from a childhood passion for boxing, which he had to give up due to his mother’s disapproval. This led him to Olympic weightlifting, where he found his true calling. Despite a neck injury that ended his Olympic dreams, Cohen remained actively involved in the sport, leading U.S. Masters Weightlifting from 1995-2016.

Described as a disciplinarian and a mentor, Cohen’s impact extended beyond the gym as a math teacher in the Savannah Chatham Public School System for 30 years. He was inducted into the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame and the U.S. Masters Weightlifting Hall of Fame, receiving numerous accolades for his contributions to the sport.

Cohen’s dedication to his family and community was unwavering, as he continued to inspire and uplift those around him until his last days. His passing marks the end of an era in Savannah’s weightlifting community, but his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched. Services to honor his life will be held at Bonaventure Cemetery, with a Celebration of Life scheduled for a later date.