Cohen, Yosef (Gerard)

Son of-Gini and Victor Hacohen was born on 29.6.1943 in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Joseph studied in an elementary school in Tunis, and when the family immigrated to Israel in the year 5707, he continued to study at the school in Eliahu and Massemia. After basic training he underwent a course for kashrut supervisors and was assigned as a cook and kashrut supervisor in an anti-aircraft cannon unit. His period of service passed without any special events. He fulfilled his duties to the satisfaction of his commanders, and was admired by his comrades. At the beginning of November 1963 Yosef was released from regular service and began to work for the Ministry of Communications in Safed. He married, and the couple had three sons. In the reserve service, Yosef underwent a professional conversion, took part in a course for half-track drivers, served as a driver for a certain period, He was called up for reserve duty during the Peace for Galilee War, and was given the signal of battle. In his appreciation of his service in the war, his commanders noted that “Yosef was a disciplined soldier, did his work faithfully, was accepted by his comrades in the unit and helped them a lot.” At the end of the fighting, Yosef was released to his home and continued to work in his profession. On 18.8.1983, Corporal Yosef was killed while serving in the Peace for Galilee War and was brought to rest in the military cemetery in Safed, where he left behind a wife, three sons and two sisters, and in his letter to the bereaved family, “Yosef was a devoted soldier and an exemplary friend,” while his commander wrote: “The late Joseph Cohen belonged to the reserve corps of the district, and he fulfilled his duty by fulfilling all his duties,