STEPHEN J. COHEN

PORTLAND – Stephen J. Cohen, 57, of Danforth Street died Friday, March 19, 2004, at Maine Medical Center with his loving family by his side. He was born July 6, 1946, in Portland, the son of Gerald and Bettye Evans Cohen. He attended local schools and graduated from Deering High School and Southern Maine Technical College in South Portland. Fixing cars, especially Volkswagens, was his passion. He was always taking apart or putting back together a car. He had a great knowledge of cars and worked many years as an auto mechanic. Stephen had spent the last 10 years out of state, but failing health prompted him to retire and return to his beloved state of Maine to be close to his family and friends. Over the past year he spent a great deal of time with his brother at his art gallery whenever his health would allow it. Steve, having attended the Portland School of Art himself, loved meeting and talking art with gallery visitors. He told his brother often that his dream was to come back to Portland and be with him at the gallery. He was predeceased by a stepmother, Perle Cohen; and a stepfather, Ray Dellinger. He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Nancy Cavanaugh Cohen of Portland; a son, Jeffrey and his wife, Paula Cohen, of East Waterboro; stepchildren, Michael and Robert Collins, both of Virginia, Stephen and his wife, Becky LaBossiere, of Otisfield; a brother, Robert and his wife, Fran Cohen, of Portland; and a sister, Debbie Hollis of Texas; his mother, Bettye and her husband, Virgil Ray, of Texas; and his father, Gerald and his wife, Georgianna Cohen, of Cherryfield; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2004, at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Portland. Those who wish may make contributions in Stephens’s memory to the Maine Kidney Foundation of Maine, 630 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101. Arrangements are under the direction of the Jewish Funeral Home, 471 Deering Ave., Portland, ME.