MAITLAND, Fla. — William H. “Bill” Cohen, cofounder of Park Maitland School in Maitland, Fla., died at his home on Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, at the age of 87. He was predeceased by his loving wife and partner, Mrs. Patricia Wynelle (Nell) Moore Cohen, who passed away in 2006; his parents, Henry Seixas and Clyde Love Malone Cohen; one sister, Margaret Cohen Parker; and a brother, Groves Malone (Buddy) Cohen.

Born in Marietta, Ga., on Jan. 17, 1922, Mr. Cohen lived in Washington State and Atlanta as a child before his family settled in Moultrie, Ga. It was in Moultrie that he met and courted his future wife, Nell Moore. Mr. Cohen and his family were active members of the First Presbyterian Church, and he played football and baseball at Moultrie Senior High School, as well as semi-pro baseball after graduation. Mr. Cohen attended the Georgia State Military College and the University of Chicago. He proudly served with the U.S. Navy during World War II, and, when the war ended, he returned to Moultrie, eventually marrying Nell and fathering three daughters.

A civilian flight instructor for the U.S. Air Force at Spence Field outside of Moultrie, Mr. Cohen was saddened when the government eventually closed that air base. He and Mrs. Cohen, a longtime teacher and owner of a private kindergarten in Moultrie, moved their family to Central Florida in 1962. The Cohens combined their determination and their talents — hers in education and his in business — and the dream of opening their own independent school became reality.

“Before opening the school’s doors, Mr. and Mrs. Cohen and their girls would drive all over Central Florida on Sunday afternoons, looking for the perfect spot to start the school,” his family said. “One day, they found it — right in Maitland on Highway 17-92 and not far from their home. They knew immediately that the old home (in disrepair and overgrown with weeds) would be a perfect place. At a time when most private schools in the area were having financial problems, with many closing their doors, Park Maitland School opened in the fall of 1968 with 32 little kindergarten and first grade students. By the next year, it went all the way from pre-K through grade six! Today, it serves approximately 650 wonderful students.”

Mr. Cohen served as vice president and business manager of the school for many years of its 42-year existence. Mrs. Cohen always credited him with setting the standard for the school’s reputable beauty. While she oversaw the educational aspects of the school, it was “Mr. C.” who took the care of the buildings and grounds in addition to the business office. He lovingly tended to the gorgeous camellias and azaleas that still grace the Maitland campus, his family said.

“Mr. Cohen truly loved gardening,” his family said, “and he shared his glorious orchids, roses, and other flowers with friends and family. He won many blue ribbons for his beautiful camellias and violets. He had a lifelong love of nature and scenic beauty, especially the beach, and he spent many happy weekends relaxing at his beach home.”

He was an amateur photographer, and nature was his favorite subject matter. He raised koi in his home pond, and he enjoyed his salt water fish aquarium. In his active years, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, shrimping, and boating. He also loved all types of sports — either playing as a young man or watching on television — and was a devoted Orlando Magic fan.

Mr. Cohen loved and cared for animals and their welfare, and he was a member and supporter of the National Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, the national ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), and the Humane Society/SPCA of Central Florida.

He is survived by his loving family: daughters, Mary Margaret Bowen of Maitland, Carolyn Fritch of Weirsdale, Fla., and Liz Kleppin of Orlando, Fla.; three sons-in-law, Gary Bowen, Richard Fritch, and Doug Kleppin; five grandchildren, Tracy Mulligan, Brandon Bowen, Sara Dodson, Ryan Fritch, and Lauren Fritch; one great-grandchild, Wesley Wiegmann; one nephew and two nieces.

A graveside service is planned for Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. at Glen Haven Memorial Park, 2300 Temple Drive, Winter Park, Fla., with Pastor Rick Blythe officiating. Attendees, please dress for outdoor comfort. The family lovingly requests that donations be made in Mr. Cohen’s name to the SPCA of Central Florida. Their website — http://www.orlandopets.org — has easy online donation instructions. A confirmation letter will automatically be sent to his daughters should you wish to honor their father in this way.

Baldwin Fairchild Ivanhoe Chapel of Orlando, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.moultrieobserver.com.