Joel Fineman Cohen

Joel Fineman Cohen was born on July 20, 1933, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Nathaniel and Heline Fineman and died on July 8, 2026. He attended Richmond Academy, and after he graduated, he attended Augusta College for one year and then attended Georgia Tech, from which he graduated in 1954. 

After graduation, he went into U.S. Air Force pilot training, and he served for four years. He was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina for one year and then went to Okinawa. While stationed in Okinawa from 1956-1958, he was sent to the Bikini Atolls in the Marshall Islands to participate in the last 27 atomic tests for the U.S. While stationed at Enewetak Atoll and the Bikini Atolls, his copilot in 1956 for a flight was Dr. Wernher Von Braun, who was the architect of the Saturn V spacecraft that sent the first man to the moon. 

After leaving the Air Force, he owned a toy store, Rex Toyland, at Southgate Plaza in Augusta. He was recalled into the Air Force in 1961 for the Cuban Missile Crisis. After completing active duty, he sold the toy store and went into the insurance business as an independent insurance agent with Cohen-Walker. He married Paulette S. Goldberg in 1975. Later, after selling Cohen-Walker, he was a partner at Dawson, Taylor, & Cohen and then helped form Carraway-Cohen insurance company. 

He served as the President of the Augusta Independent Insurance Association for two years. He was a member of the Walton Way Temple (now Congregation Children of Israel) and also served on their board of trustees and the board of the Augusta JCC for many years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Augusta Housing Authority. He loved golf, playing gin rummy, and playing and watching all sports. 

In 2010, he rehomed to Charlotte, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his brother, Leopold I. Cohen of Sanford, NC and son-in-law Jeffrey A. Wainscott of Charlotte, NC. He is survived by his wife, Paulette S. Cohen; five daughters, Debra A. Cohen of Atlanta, GA, Wendy G. Hennes (husband Michael) of Matthews, NC, Linda G. Gack (husband Alan) of Charlotte, NC, Vicky G. Wainscott of Charlotte, NC, and Cathy Daly (husband Larry) of Gaylord, MI; four grandchildren, Ilana D. Hirschmann of Charlotte, NC, Hanna A. Hirschmann Hulon(husband Chris) of Greenville, NC, Erica R. Hennes (fiancé Alan Bebout) of Silver Spring, MD, and Matthew I. Hennes of Charlotte, NC; and two great-grandchildren, Skylar O. and Harper B. Hulon of Greenville, NC. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to VIA Health Partners (Hospice of Charlotte, 7845 Little Ave., Charlotte, NC 28226) or the charity of your choice.