Obituaries Australia

George Cohen, by Greenham Studios, 1919

Newcastle Region Library, 345 000317

Mr. George Judah Cohen, a leader for many years of commerce and finance in Sydney, died today aged 94 years. Mr. Cohen was influential not only in business but also in charitable and other movements.

Mr. Cohen was associated for many years with the Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney Ltd. He was elected to the board of the company in 1885. Six years later he was elected deputy chairman and in 1901, shortly after the death of Sir Edward Knox, he was appointed chairman of directors, a position from which he retired recently. Mr. Cohen's work for the bank was acknowledged on several occasions by the shareholders. It was his capacity and soundness of judgment which greatly assisted the bank through the financial crisis of 1893 and which enabled it to face with a sense of safety the recent economic depression. In 1926, in recognition of the services which he had rendered the bank, a portrait of Mr. Cohen, painted by the late Mr. George Lambert, was hung in the banking chamber of the head office in Sydney.

Mr. Cohen retired in 1932 from the board of directors of the Australian Gas Light Co. Ltd. with which he was associated for more than 46 years. He was chairman of directors for 44 years. He was also associated with several other companies including the United Insurance Co. and Tooths.

Mr. Cohen grew up with Sydney. He was a son of Mr. Samuel Cohen, who helped to establish the firm of Messrs. David Cohen and Co., and he was born within a short distance of the site in Spring street, Sydney, now occupied by that firm. To the end he held his remarkable position in Australian business. He was a financial authority whose advice was often preferred to that of younger men, and his commanding figure, white beard and moustaches, and piercing eyes made him a picturesque figure in commercial life. His firm began operations at West Maitland in 1836. It is said to be the only wholesale firm founded so long ago which bears its original trading name and remains in the same family.

After having been educated at the University College, London, Mr. Cohen succeeded his father in the business in 1861. In 1868 he married Rebecca, daughter of the late Mr. Lewis Wolfe Levy, M.L.C. In 1928 they received the congratulations of King George V and Queen Mary upon the celebration of their diamond wedding. Mr. Cohen attributed most of his success to his wife who died last April.

Few people knew of Mr. Cohen's many munificent gifts to charity. He was not well known to the general public. He disliked publicity.

An interesting side of his character was that he planned his life on the Bible and he could quote a verse in support of any action that he took. Upon his retirement from the board of management of the Australian Gaslight Company in 1932 he recited the following verses from the Scriptures:—

I am old greyheaded; and behold, my sons are with you, and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day. Behold, here I am, witness against me before the Lord and before His annointed whose ox have I taken or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

Mr. Cohen was the oldest member of the Australian Jockey Club and he continued to attend race meetings after he was aged 90 years.

Mr. Cohen is survived by five sons (Messrs S. S., L. W., Reginald, Alroy, and Sefton Cohen) and two daughters (Mrs. J. N. Joseph and Mrs. R. H. Marks).