Harry Cohen Family
The six sons of Alex and Rose Cohen are known throughout North America and Israel as philanthropists, community leaders and businessmen. The family’s roots are in Winnipeg, and have spread across Canada, but for many years all the brothers and their parents lived in Calgary, and it was here that their business interests began.
The grandfather of the six Cohen brothers Frank Cohen came to Winnipeg in 1905 from Kiev, in the Ukraine, with his wife Faiga and four children, including young Alex. Their mother Rose also came from Russia to Winnipeg in 1905 with her parents, Samuel and Chana Diamond and two other daughters.
Alex Cohen and Rose Diamond married in 1910 and soon moved into half of a double house in the north end of Winnipeg. Alex barely eked out a living delivering furniture with a horse and wagon; later he became a country peddler.
Their oldest son John C. (Chauncey) was born in 1911. Harry Cohen was born in 1912. They were followed by four brothers: Albert, Morley, Samuel and Joseph.
All the boys helped support the family as soon as they were able. Harry Cohen left school after grade 10, and finally landed a full-time job in 1930 at the Winnipeg film exchange as a “film inspector” with Warner Brothers. He was 18. Late in 1931 he moved to Warner’s in Calgary to work as a shipper.
Several Cohen brothers soon joined Harry in Calgary. Chauncey worked for Columbia Pictures as an inspector. Albert sold shoes at the Hudson’s Bay Company. The rest of the family, including parents Alex and Rose, Came west later in 1932. The Cohens rented a house at 1230 Westmount Boulevard N.W.
Soon all the Cohen brothers were in sales. Albert and his father drove throughout Alberta selling a line of candy to restaurants and theatres. Harry did well at Warner Brothers: he was promoted to salesman, to booker, then to branch manager at age 26.
In 1939 the Cohen brothers formed General Distributors, acting as sales agents and wholesalers for a number of products. Harry and Jack kept their full-time jobs, but were involved with the new family business.
Most of the brothers joined the Canadian armed forces in World War II. Morley Cohen joined the RCAF and served in Northern Ireland. Albert and Joseph enlisted in the navy. Samuel was in the army, but received a medical discharge after six months. Joseph had been an army reservist, but later joined the navy. Chauncey signed up with the RCAF, serving at a radar base in Newfoundland.
Harry tried to join the Air Force, but was rejected for officer training because of an ulcer.
In 1943 Harry left Warner Brothers and joined his brother Sam in running General Distributors. They found a good market in supplying goods to army post exchanges on the Alaska Highway construction project.
On December 20th, 1945, Harry Cohen married Martha Block at the Palliser Hotel. Martha was the only daughter of Peter Block and Rebecca Diamond Block, and was the granddaughter of Canmore Jewish pioneer Philip Diamond. They first met while Martha was a secretary at Warner Brothers.
Back from the war, the Cohen Brothers continued the expansion of General Distributors. The firm acquired the Canadian distribution rights for the very popular Paper-Mate line.
Harry maintained his interest in motion pictures. He bought the Crescent and Plaza theatres, later selling them to Sam Slutker. He developed commercial properties, some in partnership with Ted Riback. He and Ralph Kalef opened Calgary’s first war surplus stores.
During the late 1940’s the Cohen brothers opened sales branches across Canada. Samuel and Albert went to Winnipeg, where the head office was moved. Joseph managed the firm’s Vancouver office; Morley went to Montreal and Chauncey moved General Distributors into Toronto.
Harry remained in Calgary, where he and Martha began to raise a family. Philip was born in 1950, Cheryl in 1953, Faye in 1955 and David in 1956.
General Distributors continued to grow, adding the Sony distribution franchise, Saan and Metropolitan stores, and other ventures.
In June, 1960, Rose and Alex Cohen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Harry and Martha Cohen became heavily involved in charitable and arts activities. Harry was Calgary’s citizen of the Year in 1960; Golda Meir presented him the State of Israel Medal in 1970. He was frequently honored for his many contributions to the business, cultural and Jewish communities.
In 1973 Harry Cohen was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree from the University of Calgary. In 1974 the Governor General presented him with the Order of Canada medal.
Martha Cohen also received the same accolades – Citizen of the year, a U. of C. Honorary Doctorate and the Order of Canada.
Harry once stated, “We feel that Calgary is a great city and you’ve got to do more than just pass through. You’ve got to become part of the community.
Dr. Harry Cohen, C.M. died in Calgary in 1990.
