Senator Gómez Honors Legacy of Photographer Ed Cohen on Senate Floor
Senator Adam Gómez (D-Springfield) and the Massachusetts State Senate today honored the life and legacy of Edward "Ed" Cohen, a beloved Springfield photographer, storyteller, and historian, by moving that the Massachusetts Senate adjourn in his memory following his passing in July.
During remarks on the Senate floor, Senator Gómez reflected on Cohen's more than five decades of documenting Springfield and the Pioneer Valley, recognizing his lifelong commitment to preserving the people, neighborhoods, and defining moments that shaped the community.
"Ed Cohen dedicated his life to telling Springfield's story through his camera,” said Senator Gómez. “He believed every neighborhood had a story worth telling and every person deserved to be seen. Through his photographs, Ed preserved not only historic moments, but the everyday lives, cultures, and traditions that define our community. His work reminds us where we've been, who we are, and the people who have shaped our city's history. Springfield has lost one of its great storytellers, but his legacy will live on in every image that continues to inspire, educate, and connect future generations.
Born and raised in Springfield, Cohen devoted his career to documenting life across Western Massachusetts. After earning a degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Afro-American and Diversity in Communications from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, he spent more than 50 years photographing family milestones, community celebrations, political demonstrations, musical performances, and the everyday moments that defined Springfield and its people.
Throughout his career, Cohen became known as far more than a photographer. He was a trusted community presence whose camera preserved generations of Springfield's civic and cultural life. His work featured literary icons James Baldwin and Maya Angelou during Baldwin's 60th Birthday Celebration in 1984 and appeared in exhibitions throughout Western Massachusetts, including displays at the Springfield Museums and Springfield Central Library that celebrated the region's rich cultural diversity.
Cohen also authored several photography collections, including Heroes and Legends: Performance Portraits in Music, Dance, Theater, and the Spoken and Written Word and James Baldwin's 60th Birthday Celebration, while contributing photography to Such Sweet Thunder: Views on Black American Music.
Committed to lifelong learning, Cohen continued studying photography, graphic arts, and digital media at Springfield Technical Community College even after decades behind the lens. Following a serious fall in 2025, the Springfield community rallied around him—a testament to the countless lives he had touched through his work and generosity. Despite ongoing health challenges, he continued documenting the community he loved until his passing.
In his Senate remarks, Senator Gómez described Cohen as "a keeper of stories, a champion of diversity, and a gentle, affable presence whose work preserved the heartbeat of Springfield for generations." He concluded by asking his colleagues to join him in a moment of silence before the Senate adjourned in Cohen's memory.