About Lonnie

Lonnie Cohen was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, and growing up he participated in youth soccer, basketball and baseball playing with the Bustleton Bengals at the time. Lonnie was so passionate about youth sports, he became employed as a recreation leader with the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) Department, loved it so much, and stayed for almost 25 years as a Rec Leader for various recreation centers around the City. At the time of his death, Lonnie was not only the recreation leader for Hillside Rec Center in Manayunk, he was the acting Commissioner for the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) Youth Soccer Program. Through his years of dedication to the City of Philadelphia, Lonnie was the Chair of the City’s Outdoor Soccer Program, and was a member of the Executive Team for the Blue Cross Broad Street Run, the Philadelphia Marathon and many, many Mummers’ Day parades.

Lonnie was passionate for his Philly sports teams, but his top two loves were golf and Springsteen! He was a loving a devoted son, brother, uncle, godfather and friend, and what a great friend he was to those he held close! On July 21, 2021, Lonnie Cohen suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at work. The loss to not only his family and friends but to the PPR community was palpable.