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We are very sad to let you know that Leigh Cohn has passed away on May 6, 2025. We've heard this from Ed Carmen and Alan Wolfson. Here is the tribute that Alan wrote this morning:
It sadly falls to me to inform you and our other classmates that my very dear friend Leigh Cohn passed away yesterday (May 6, 2025). Although we were friendly in high school, that friendship deepened when my wife and I ran into Leigh and his wife at the 20th reunion picnic in 1989. We were considering a move to Carlsbad, and learned that Leigh & his family lived there.
That decided it for us. At least we’d have one friend there, and so we made the move. Over the next 36 years, our families became very close. From my standpoint, his passing was pretty sudden, though he may have known something and didn’t say. Even back in high school, Leigh was someone I looked up to, someone who seemed to have it together. That was even more the case during our Carlsbad years. When we arrived there in late 1989, it seemed that they’d been there forever, they knew all the places to go, and lots of people. But it turned out that they themselves had only been living there since 1987. It was just Leigh’s way to quickly learn his way around.
Leigh & his wife Lindsey built a successful book publishing business, Gurze, which they later sold, and then went into “retirement.” At that point, Leigh began a new career painting watercolors, displaying a remarkable talent and an amazing capacity to learn about and grow his art. You can and should check out his works at leighpaintings.com
Leigh also began teaching about art at the Carlsbad senior center, and just last October gave a beautiful 2-hour lecture on the life and work of Monet, which was streamed online as well as presented live and in person at the center.
His passing leaves a big hole in our hearts that will never heal.
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Steven Wasserman
So sorry to hear this. Leigh was a wonderful person, kind and a joy to have known. Condolences to his family.
Lon Levin
I am so sorry to hear about Leigh. We didn't know each other well but he was always friendly and open with me. As a fellow artist and teacher I am in great admiration of his work. Those who possess a painitng of his are blessed with the soul and energy of an exceptional person and talent. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP fellow Hawthorner.
Tony Rubin
Leigh was a good friend and we maintained it over the years. Good friends are few and far between, so, my heart aches at his passing. May his family find comfort in his memory to all may his memory be for a blessing
Lindsay Wellman
I am so saddened by this bad news.
Leigh was a friend of mine from Horace Mann through High School and after.
An extremely kind person always. Always supportive and strong. A true artist of life and provider to many.
I giva all of my condolences to all of his loved ones. May his soul stay at peace with all of us forever.
Goodbye for now Leigh until we meet again RIP.
Benet Rutenberg
Sad to hear of Leigh's passing. We met in Pony League and football in HS. It wasn't until the 20th reunion and the football reunion a few years later that we became good friends. He was always one of the good ones. He was instrumental in providing counsel and perspective through and after my divorce. We were able to get our families together on several occasions in LA, Carlsbad and Indiana. He was experienced, wise and shared spiritual sustenance along with practicality and humor. His developing and accomplished sense and application of art was inspiring as was his drive to become better at basketball that lasted throughout a well lived life. We were able to get together with some of the boys a couple of years ago. A great time was had by all. That will have to hold us until we meet again! Sending much love to his wife, family and friends. All of us are improved in our relationships with Leigh. ❤️🙏
Steven Lavender
This is a tuff one. I met Leigh when his family moved to BH from Chicago, as had mine, and we became classmates at Horace Mann. Wrestling team, S.AM.S.O.N., an expanding group of friends at BHHS. Leigh and Lindsey were even clients of mine at the accounting firm I worked for into the early eighties.
Early on you could tell he had the quiet peaceful soul of an artist, although I did wonder about the football team aspect.
We saw each other infrequently later, but every time was special – he was quite possibly the most caring human being I have ever encountered.
May his memory be for a blessing.