Central Newfoundland, and the entire province, has lost a well-known business leader and entrepreneur.

Boyd Cohen, the founder of Cohen’s Home Furnishings, has passed away at the age of 94.

Cohen joined the family business after just a year of studies at Mount Allison University. He began selling furniture out of the family store in 1953 and by 1956 he started Cohen’s Home Furnishings.

The business flourished, becoming one of the largest shippers by rail to Newfoundland and Labrador with boxcars full of goods arriving regularly from across the country and the United States.

Cohen sold the business, which had 13 locations across the province, in 1986.

He also helped to launch Central Cable Systems, and was involved in commercial and residential real estate. He was also the co-owner of a fish plant and a variety of other business ventures.

He also served as president of both the Lions and Rotary clubs in Grand Falls-Windsor and was a founding member of the town’s chamber of commerce.

A celebration of Boyd Cohen’s life will be held in July at a time yet to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Lionel Kelland Hospice.