Robert (H.) Cohen

Born on Sept 2, 1928, loving son of Louis and Ruth (Sodafsky), predeceased by his son, Alan, beloved daughter Abbe, brother Bernard, Sister Vivian Feldman, grandson Alan, and his trusted companion Beauty (his Great Dane).

Bob grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, graduating from Weaver High School in 1946. After high school, Bob worked various jobs while attending the University of Hartford where he earned his Associates degree in Business Administration.

He subsequently served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany during the Korean War. After receiving his Honorable Discharge, Bob returned to the Hartford area, where he established a franchise for Curtis Candy in Hartford County. This eventually led to his employment as a Key Account Salesman in New England, with Block Drug, a large manufacturer of health and beauty aids.

While calling on a Drug store for Block Drug, and “grinding out an order” (as he put it), he saw the emergence of a niche market for hair and skincare products, targeted for African American consumers. Being a true entrepreneur, in 1967, with five hundred dollars in his pocket and out of the trunk of his car, he began pedaling African American products. Word spread back to Block Drug which led to his immediate dismissal. In his words, this was the best thing that could have happened because now, all his time was devoted to his new “baby,” Beauty Enterprises. The Company’s big break came when, Tom Holmes, the buyer at Zayre, awarded Beauty, national distribution.

Beauty Enterprises’ headquarters are located in the south end of Hartford and is recognized today as one of the nation’s leading distributors of health and beauty products for multicultural consumers, shipping throughout the United States, and internationally.

He is survived by his loving son Richard of Hallandale Beach, Florida who cherished his Father with all his heart and looked up to him as a great man and was active in Beauty Enterprises for many years, his adoring granddaughters Shana and Alexia Cox of Bristol, Connecticut who he loved with all his heart, step-daughter, Lisa Fox of Pembroke Pines Florida and his devoted partner and companion Dina Raposo. Dina was very dedicated to Bob and was there to comfort him in his later years. He is also survived by every Beauty Enterprises employee whom he proudly referred to as his “family.” He is also survived by Rocco Piccirillo and Larry Sussman whom he has put his trust and faith in, to continue to run the Company and keep his dream alive. He was in many ways a father figure, mentor and great friend and considered them a very important part of his life. Although the Company became a multimillion dollar business, Bob was most proud of the loyalty and longevity of his Beauty Enterprises family.

He is a Benefactor of Congregation Kol Haverim of Glastonbury, CT, and a lifelong supporter of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, as well as many other charitable organizations. In 1998, he bought land for the purpose of donating it to the Congregation which is now the home of the Kol Haverim Cemetery. His primary objective here was to make sure that no interfaith marriage would deny its’ non-Jewish partner a final resting place. He had a passion for football and was a longtime season ticket holder for the Miami Dolphins. He enjoyed attending over thirty Super Bowls, cruising and traveling the world, along with weekly card games with the guys.

We want to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at The Vi at Aventura and Aventura Hospital for their care and compassion.

Funeral services will be held Sunday March 11th at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT. Immediately following interment the family will be receiving at Congregation Kol Haverim, 1079 Hebron Ave, Glastonbury, CT.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Bob’s honor to one of the above organizations or a charity of your choice.