Stephen Watkins Cohen

Aug 13, 1939 - Aug 13, 2017

Stephen Watkins Cohen, age 78, passed away peacefully on his birthday, August 13, 2017, at Sunrise of Playa Vista, a caring and loving community in Los Angeles. He was born August 13, 1939 in San Francisco, California to Alton Beaven Cohen and Sarah Florence (Watkins) Cohen. He was a 1957 graduate of Lowell High School and attended the University of The Pacific before being drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1962. During his service he met and married the love of his life, Linda Gail (Kramer) Cohen. Stephen served in the U.S. Navy Band until 1966 when he resumed his education at San Francisco State University graduating in 1970 with multiple subject teacher credentials and a MA in Educational Administration. He was a teacher for South San Francisco Unified School District where he taught the physical and general sciences before being named Assistant Principal at Westborough Jr. High School. A life-long sailor, Stephen began selling yachts in Mill Valley as a side business to support his family. In 1980 Stephen left public education and formed his own financial services firm. Stephen assisted agents and clients to understand annuities and life insurance and how those products were utilized to further their financial goals. He ran Steve Cohen Financial Marketing for 35 years and built a community of clients, colleagues and friends.

Stephen was a remarkably accomplished man. As a child he was a member of the Grace Cathedral Boys Choir and that together with his father, Alton, being a music teacher gave Stephen his love of classical music. His skills and interests ranged from science and geology, classical music (only!), but he was most at home at the helm of a Cheoy Lee sailboat or at the wheel of a series of BMW classics. He played the Oboe, English Horn, and any keyboard, most particularly, a huge church pipe organ he had installed in his home in the foothills of Santa Rosa. Neighbors for miles around were regaled with his spirited performance, whether they liked it or not.

Stephen was preceded in death by his wife Linda Gail (Kramer) Cohen in 1990 and is survived by his daughters Kristin Bucci and Tamar Stanton, and his six grandchildren: Nicolas, Celeste, Evelyn, Chloe, Rose and Marisol. Stephen will be missed by his family and the Old Boys Choir, the Thursday Night Group, the E31 Group of BMW 8 Series Enthusiasts, and a lifetime of many good friends.

Family and friends are invited to a gathering at the San Francisco Yacht Club, Cove House, 98 Beach Road, Belvedere, CA 94920, from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, to celebrate Stephen, take him on his final sail where his ashes will be spread on San Francisco Bay.