Willimantic Chronicle 1942
Phillip R. Cohen, 73, died in Willimantic on May 28, 1942. Cohen had just celebrated his fiftieth anniversary as a clothing merchant in the city. He was born in Lithuania, August 27, 1868. He arrived in America as a young man, and in 1896 he formed a partnership with his father-in-law, Morris Rothblat and opened a clothing store on Main Street, Willimantic known as Cohen & Rothblat. In 1915, he went into business by himself and opened a store at 681 Main Street.
Cohen was involved in many local Jewish organizations, being a four time president of the Congregation Sons of Israel, and head of that organization when the synagogue was built on Bank Street, originally known as the Scenic Temple. He was also a former president of the B'rith Abraham and their treasurer when he died. He resided for many years at 182 Pleasant Street.