Click to see the entire service. For just the photo montage and written copies of remarks - scroll to the bottom of this page.
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Los Angeles Times Obituary
written by Todd Corham Photos from many sources. Add yours here.
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I can remember, back in 1963 when we were living in England, Dad was watching a story on the BBC and laughing out loud. When I asked him what was so funny he told me it was about the spaghetti harvest. - Todd Corham |
For Al:
May death come gently towards you, Leaving you time to make your way Through the cold embrace of fear To the place of inner tranquility. May death arrive only after a long life To find you at home among your own With every comfort and care you require. May your leave-taking be gracious, Enabling you to hold dignity Through awkwardness and illness. May you see the reflection Of your life's kindness and beauty In all the tears that fall for you. As your eyes focus on each face, May your soul take its imprint Drawing each image within As companions for the journey. May you find for each one you love A different locket of jeweled words To be worn around the heart To warm your absence. (continued next column) |
May someone who knows and loves The complex village of your heart Be there to echo you back to yourself And create a sure word-raft To carry you to the further shore. May your spirit feel The surge of true delight When the veil of the visible Is raised, and you glimpse again The living faces Of departed family and friends. May there be some beautiful surprise Waiting for you inside death, Something you never knew or felt, Which with one simple touch Absolves you of all loneliness and loss, As you quicken within the embrace For which your soul was eternally made. May your heart be speechless At the sight of the truth Of all your belief had hoped, Your heart breathless In the light and lightness Where each and every thing Is at last its true self Within that serene belonging That dwells beside us On the other side Of what we see. - John O'Donohue |
April 4, 2021
Al is one of the most interesting and spiritually noble persons I met in my 70 years in this world. I have no doubt that those who were lucky to meet him shall keep him in their hearts. - Zdravka Kalaydjieva |
April 8, 2021
What a meaningful life! What a friend to so many, including me! what an effective advocate for all the important issues! He held it together so well so long! - Gene Boutilier |
April 14, 2021
My world shifted the day recently when Al Cohen died. He was a father to me, my hero, a UCC minister all you UCC folks need to know. He served on the Navy sub w Jimmy Carter and lived an extraordinary life making the comfortable uncomfortable. He was my father’s best friend and raised my childhood best friends. I feel this sadness deep inside. - Ann Kittlaus *** April 22, 2021 Here’s a fave story from lunch a few years ago. I typed it right after he said it bc it made me laugh so hard. It’s on my phone’s notes page: “When we returned from England, I saw something interesting from the AFSC. So, I had a 3 hour interview with the Quakers but was dismissed because I wouldn't agree to nonviolence. I then tried the Unitarians, but left after they spent their 3 hours trying to convince me there was no God. I decided to go back to the good old UCC.” - Ann Kittlaus |
April 11, 2021
I am a Gleaves cousin and read the obituary of Albert in today’s LA Times. I am so sorry for his passing. We met at a few Gleaves Family Reunions and I was taken with what a huge positive larger than life presence Albert was. May he forever rest in peace. - Paula Poll |
Apr 11, 2021
So very sorry to read of your fathers’ passing. I am one, of many I know, whose life he influenced. I have so many wonderful memories of him and your family. I hope your life and family are doing well in these difficult times. - Sue Friedhof Settlage |
April 19, 2021
Al always lead us ahead. He was the first (to reach forty for a silly example) and we joined and followed him fearlessly because he showed us the way to go. In sadness with love, Mary Lasswell April 2021
An example for all of a life well-lived. Who among us would chafe at being showered by the love and attention of family and friends in one's later years? Such is the life of one who genuinely listened when spoken to, who sought to bring understanding and hope to the lives he touched. And who knew what it meant to walk the road less traveled. Peace to everyone who knew Al! - Brian Biery |
April 20, 2021 I just found obituary notice in Sunday April 11th LATimes. Al and I were "ecumenical buddies" with a common background. I was a kid @ Oneonta Congregational Church in South Pasadena in late 1950s. But, we were involved in California Council of Churches for many years and I supported him in So California ecumenical activities after I became involved in social justice ministries of the United Methodist and ELCA (Lutheran) Synod. I really appreciated reading about Al in the Times OBIT! Peace be with you, Ron Nelson |
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