We deeply regret to announce the death of Howard Cohen (June 24, 1966 - October 16, 2025). In his final days, he was surrounded by family, communicating his wishes and listening to and sharing expressions of love.

Howard was a cherished, straight-shooting mensch who could talk to anyone and whose life was filled with love, achievements, and memorable moments.

As a kid, Howard loved wrestling and taking trips on his dad’s lobster boat. He loved riding on rollercoasters, fixing cars and listening to classic rock. His love of cooking may have started by feeding his family when he and Shari were just kids. As an adult, he enjoyed cooking at home after spending all day preparing food, going on cruises, and meeting and getting to know people and a wide variety of cuisines including Italian, Greek, seafood, steaks, and deli.

Howard grew up in Malden, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. He was renowned for his ability to invent new menus and rejuvenate challenged staffs in various restaurant chains, like Chart House and Landry’s. A reputation for his creative culinary talents and business acumen led him to numerous relocations in several states, including Connecticut, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, several cities in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He settled down in the Tampa area in Florida in 2002, ultimately residing in New Port Richey.

All this led him to his greatest achievement - the ownership and operation of his kosher-style deli, Mr. Pastrami, which was widely loved by his customers in the Tampa area and featured the food he often ate with his family at various delis, such as Essex Deli, in the Boston area in his youth.

Howard’s son Brandon Cohen was born in 1991. Howard also helped raise two step-sons, Corey and Sammy Schmitt.

In 2009, he met his life partner, Josephine Cohen (nee Argento) and the two were happily married in 2020. He became a surrogate dad and grandad to Josephine’s children and grandchildren, and a cherished member of Josephine’s extended family. In 2014, he found love again with Gucci, their dog.

Howard Cohen was pre-deceased by his father, Earl Cohen, his step-son, Corey Schmitt, and his in-laws, Vita and Giovanni Argento. He is survived by his beloved wife, Josephine, and his son, Brandon Cohen, his mother Roslyn Cohen, his second mother Paula Cohen, his siblings Jill Cohen, Ryan Cohen, and Shari Cohen Rosenman, his step-father, Leslie Pelletz, his step-children Angela Madonia, Mario Garaffa, and Sammy Schmitt, his daughter-in-law Autumn Cohen, his brothers-in-law Shep Rosenman, Jerry, Anthony, and Salvatore Argento, his sisters in law, Kristen Cohen and Judy Halaby, his grandchildren Colbie and Adeline Cohen, and his step-grandchildren Christian Cole, Gemma, Annalia, and Elenora Madonia, Giulia and Giuseppe Garaffa, and Will and Kenny Schmitt, and many other family members and friends. They all will remember Howard fondly, with the grandkids cherishing his memory as “Papa.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to "The James Beard Foundation," which supports developing restauranteurs in their careers and generally addresses food issues in communities, a message that was close to Howard’s heart. To donate, please visit https://everloved.com/life-of…

Howard Cohen left an indelible mark on everyone he touched. He will be dearly missed, but his spirit continues to live on through the memories and stories we share.

May Howard’s memory be a blessing.

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