1929 �" 2014
San Francisco lost one of its most unique and most wonderful people when Sid Cohen passed away on March 21, 2014. He was 84. Sid was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1929, and moved to California at a young age. When he was 18 he joined the navy where he met many lifelong friends. He worked for a while on cruise ships, sailing all over the world, then settled in San Francisco where he spent the last 60 years of his life.
Sid worked as a barber and taxi driver before buying a small business. He owned and operated "Sid's Pipe Dreams" on Castro Street for 22 years, from 1975 to 1997. The store was located in the arcade that led to the former Patio Cafe. No bigger than a closet, it was known to many as the smallest store in the world.
Sid was a very positive and upbeat person. He was known for his perfectly timed one-liners and his witty, wry sense of humor. He was handsome, pleasant and easy to be with. His eclectic interests ranged from the opera and symphony to the Grateful Dead. An avid skier, Sid only stopped skiing when he was 70. He was thrilled when he was old enough to get senior discounts at the resorts around Lake Tahoe. He had a great memory and loved to tell stories. He could remember details from adventures he had in Bombay, Shanghai, Australia, Japan, or Guam. He was an inspiration because of the way he didn't worry about things and always enjoyed life. He will be dearly missed. Donations in Sid's name can be sent to Project Open Hand, 730 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109.