Bruce Cohen
August 22, 1947 –
November 11, 2022
Bruce A. Cohen, beloved brother of Gail Ginsberg, adored uncle of Deborah and Dana Ginsberg, and cherished, grand-uncle to David Ginsberg and Aurora Buntain, died unexpectedly at his home in Washington, DC, on November 11, 2022. He was predeceased by his parents and his adored brother-in-law, the late Judge Robert E. Ginsberg. He is survived by "dozens of cousins" and innumerable dear friends.
Mr. Cohen was the son of Saul Cohen and Helen L. Marshall. He was born and raised in Charleston, WV, attended Suffield Academy in Suffield, Connecticut, graduated from the University of Michigan, and The American University, Washington College of Law. Following law school, he worked on the Hill for Rep. Philip Ruppe and Sen. Philip Hart, both of Michigan. The bulk of Mr. Cohen's legal career was spent at the Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, from which he retired in 2006.
In addition to his career in public service, Mr. Cohen was a frequent world traveler and a lover of and patron of the arts in the Washington, DC, area. His travels took him all over the United States, as well as Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. In the months preceding his death, he had traveled to Scotland for the Fringe Festival and participated in a civil rights tour of the Southern United States, which was quite meaningful to him. Mr. Cohen served on the council of Theater J in Washington, DC and was a supporter of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Studio Theatre in Washington, as well as Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA.
Included in Mr. Cohen's volunteer activities were membership on the board of Family and Child Services (Washington, DC) and service at the Children's National Medical Center, where he interacted with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
He was also known as an accomplished gourmet cook and a generous host.
Order of Service
Music Prelude..................................................................Rock Creek Strings
Welcome.........................................................................................Gail Ginsberg
Hallelujah...................................................................................Leonard Cohen
Remarks..........................................................................................Gail Ginsberg
Remarks.................................................................Debbie & Dana Ginsberg
Piano Concerto No. 21 K. 467 "Elvira Madigan" Mov. 2..............W.A Mozart
Remarks.............................................................................................Dayle Berke
Remarks........................................................................................Stephen Leeds
Concerto in G BWV. 1048 "Brandenburg" Mov. 1.................J.S. Bach
Remarks...........................................................................................Steve Mandel
Remarks...................................................................................Claudia Thurber
Remarks .......................................................................................Cathy Murphy
Ose Shalom.........................................................................Jewish Traditional
Remarks.....................David Muse, Artistic Director, Studio Theatre
Remarks.............David Lloyd Olson, Managing Director, Theatre J
Closing Remarks........................................................................Gail Ginsberg
Postlude, Le Quattro Stagioni RV 269 "Spring" Mov. 1 Allegro..A. Vivaldi Please join us in the Kay Community Hall for conversation and refreshments.
All musical selections will be performed by the Rock Creek Strings
Many thanks to everyone who helped put together this celebration of Bruce’s life. Special thanks to David Lloyd Olson, Managing Director of Theater J, and Rebecca Ende Lichtenberg, Executive Director of Studio Theatre, for helping conceive and execute the program. Great gratitude to Theater J for welcoming us – such an appropriate venue to remember Bruce!
We are also grateful to Rock Creek Strings for its musical contributions, and, especially to Jeff Issokson for his guidance in making selections from the group’s extensive repertoire. Thanks to Medina Cuisine for catering our reception. Thanks to our speakers and everyone who attended Bruce’s Memorial Service, whether in person or remotely.
Rock Creek Strings
Jeff Issokson, Violin 1
Kelsey LaCour, Violin 2
Judy Cho, Viola
Fred Lieder, Cello
