We Mourn the Passing of Steve Cozen

With profound sadness, we mourn the passing of Steve Cozen, our former Chair of the Board of Councilors.

Steve’s passion for fighting antisemitism and educating the next generation led him to join the Board of Councilors in 1997 when the organization was in its infancy. He has remained committed to our mission, serving as Chair of the Board of Councilors from 2015 to 2019.

This fall, we had the privilege of honoring Steve, alongside our other past Board of Councilors Chairs, at our 30th-anniversary gala – a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy and dedication to our work. One of Steve's greatest accomplishments was establishing our East Coast presence. He spearheaded the 2011 Ambassadors for Humanity gala in Philadelphia, which opened doors to new opportunities and raised our profile.

Steve's dedication extended globally, including his support of efforts to preserve the testimonies of genocide survivors in Rwanda. In 2015, Steve served on the Leadership Circle of the USC Shoah Foundation's Auschwitz: The Past is Present program that commemorated the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Additionally, the Sandy and Steve Cozen Fellowship Fund continues to support advanced scholarship in Holocaust and genocide studies, reflecting Steve and Sandy’s dedication to academic excellence and preserving history.

Beyond his remarkable contributions to the USC Shoah Foundation, Steve was a towering figure in the legal world. As the founder of Cozen O’Connor, he built one of the nation’s most respected law firms, not only through his legal acumen but also by instilling principles of integrity, perseverance, and service in every aspect of his work. Steve’s impact was felt deeply in the Philadelphia community, the Jewish community, and countless philanthropic endeavors, where his leadership and humanity were always evident and celebrated.

Perhaps most importantly, Steve was an invaluable advisor, mentor, and friend to senior staff and fellow board members. His wisdom and guidance were sought by many, including the both of us. We all valued his counsel and perspective.

On behalf of the USC Shoah Foundation, we extend our deepest sympathies to his beloved wife, Sandy, their children, Sheri, Lori, and Cathi, and his extended family, friends, and colleagues. Steve’s legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the causes he championed, and the lessons he inspired us to carry forward.

We mourn the profound loss of a remarkable person who was beloved by all. Let us reflect on our dear friend's life and his extraordinary contributions. Steve will be missed and remembered.

May his memory be a blessing.

 

Dr. Robert J. Williams
Finci-Viterbi Executive Director Chair, USC Shoah Foundation

Joel Citron
Chair of the Board of Councilors, USC Shoah Foundation