A Life of Swag, Service and Sweet Feasts

Norman Cohn was a man who turned simple ideas into big successes.

He began selling holiday‑themed food to local shops while still in high school, and that first venture sparked a long career of owning dozens of companies.

In the 1960s he and his father bought the Advertising Specialty Institute, a business that supplies logo‑printed pens, mugs and other promotional items.

Under his guidance the company grew into a global network that connects manufacturers, printers and distributors with schools, sports teams and corporations in more than 60 countries.

Cohn was also a master of turning failing firms into profitable ones, as reported in a 1991 story that called him a “savior of struggling businesses.”

He believed that branded giveaways were smarter investments than traditional TV or radio ads because people keep them.

The Wall Street Journal even nicknamed him the “sultan of swag” in 2012.

Beyond business, he was a civic leader and philanthropist.
He served on the Bicentennial Council of the Thirteen Original States, led arts and historical associations, and supported Jewish education, medical research and many nonprofits.

His wife Suzanne, whom he met in Athens, Greece, was his partner in life and charity. Together they hosted lavish dinners for presidents, senators, Supreme Court justices and famous musicians, turning their homes into hubs of culture and generosity.

Norman’s legacy is remembered as a blend of authenticity, courage and kindness. Friends said he showed how leadership can be both powerful and warm, while his family praised him for making every day a lesson in integrity.

He often closed speeches with the simple reminder to hug family, bless America and look forward to brighter days.

He died at 93 in Naples, Florida, leaving behind a wife, five children, eleven grandchildren and a world that still feels the impact of his entrepreneurial spirit.