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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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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.
Donald Ackerman
Very shocked to hear the news. First it was Phil Savenick and now Leigh... two of my best friends. I saw Leigh at the 50th reunion. During a lull, we had an intimate conversation where Leigh evinced an empathy for my well-being. It remains a cherished memory. He was a true gem and inspriation.
John Mayer
Very sad to hear of Leigh's passing. I got to know Leigh through the wrestling team. He was a great teammate and his sense of humor helped keep things light during tough times. Later, we kept in touch at reunions, so I got to learn a little bit about his career and the books he published. He was one of a kind. A great person.
Peter Bourne
So sorry to hear of Leigh's passing and the tributes from y'all are absolutely spot on. Football and wrestling, together those four years. As I have the image of Leigh right now in my mind, the words goodness and kindness really sticks out for me. Always caring, always seeming so even keil and balanced. I remember in wrestling practice, which was absolutely brutal and I never experienced anything like that until years later doing Ironman's, Leigh and I would look at each other during some practices thinking "this is insane, what the hell are we doing?" I would be upset and hurting and Leigh would have a smile on his face. Mayer knows what I mean, he went through it too. The Bourne's ALOHA hearts go out to his family. And by the way, thank you my friends, those who are still with us, for being my friend. Love you all and may Leigh rest in peace.
Marc Russell
I did not know Leigh extremely well, but I remembered him. Almost 40 years after high school, I was cleaning out many years worth of stuff from a dresser drawer and I found something relating to his campaign for class president in 8th grade at Horace Mann. I got his street address and mailed it to him. He was very pleased and amused. Rest in peace, Leigh.
Mark Magidson
Such sad news. Leigh was a really generous likeable guy with a lot of empathy. I saw him mostly at reunions but did connect with him a couple times outside of that. He spoke about the passion he had for his books and how he loved living in Carlsbad. Leigh always gave you his full attention when he spoke and was sincerely interested in others, more interested in you than talking about himself.