Joseph Cogen
March 16, 1927 – September 23, 2016
Joseph Reginald Cogen, affectionately known as Pop, Pop-Pop, and Uncle Jiggy, passed away at the age of 89 on September 23, 2016 at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, CA. He was born on March 16, 1927 in New York City, NY to Arturo and Ethlinda (Vaughn) Cogen. Joseph grew up in Harlem, NY, and graduated fro, Newtown High School in Elmhurst, NY in 1945. Immediately after high school he was drafted into the United States Army and served in World War II. Upon his return from serving in the Army, he began working for Ford Instrument Company alongside his father, as a Machine Operator where he worked for several years. Joseph entered the New York City Police Academy in 1953, where he eventually joined the ranks of New York’s finest as one of the first African-American Mounted Police Officers. He retired in 1973 after serving on the force for 20 years. Joseph then relocated to San Diego, CA, where he began working for the Orange County Coroner’s office as the Assistant Medical Examiner, where he worked for 20 years and then finally retired. Joseph married Margaret in 1945 in New York City, NY. They were married for many years, before he married his second wife Vernell. Joseph went on to marry his third wife and love of his life – Claudia, who he credited with assisting him in maintaining his sobriety for 34 years. Joseph was a devout Roman Catholic and member of the St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Parish. Joseph Cogen was preceded in death by his second child Arlene, his parents Arturo and Ethlinda, his brother’s Sinclair and Gerald John, and sisters Ruth, Teresa, Tina, Eloise, and Ernestine, as well as his second wife Vernell, and his third wife Claudia. Joseph is survived by his first wife Margaret of Ocala, FL; and their 3 children, Gerald (Virginia), Gail, Colette, and his son by his second wife – Eric (Shirley), and step children of his third wife – Dennis (Sandra), and Diana; his grandchildren Stacey, Shannon, Todd, Aeron, Kamal, Ariadne, Ludisia, Nathaniel, Carlan, Joseph, Tiffany, Amande’, Samantha, Devin; his great-grandchildren Juaquin, Jailise, Cassington, Isaiah, Todd Joseph II, Alexandra, Thaddeous, Kamari, Alissa, Olivia, Gavin, Christine, Devin, and Daniel; and a host of great great grans, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. The family would like to say a very special Thank You! to Julie and Alfred McPherson (Joe’s Godson) and Joe’s devoted friend and confidant, Walter Sandford.
