Melvin Saul Silverstein, 95; Staples High School Guidance Counselor, Army Air Force Veteran
Melvin (Mike) Saul Silverstein, 95, of Worcester, MA, formerly of Norwalk and Hartford CT, passed away on May 18, 2021. He was the husband of the late Florence Heath Silverstein for 68 years.
Born in Hartford, CT, he was the son of the late Samuel and Dora Kosofsky Silverstein. An award-winning educator, prized friend and co-worker, he took on diverse roles in education and in his communities and was a longtime advocate for the less fortunate. Mr. Silverstein grew up in Hartford, the youngest son of immigrant parents from eastern Europe. He attended Hartford public schools and worked with his siblings at the family-operated People's Dairy, a milk processing and delivery company.
Only 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in October 1943 training to serve as a gunner on a B-24 Liberator just as World War II ended. He was awarded the WW II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in May 1946. Mr. Silverstein attended Hillyer College (now the University of Hartford), where he met his wife Florence. They married in 1948. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950 and obtained his Masters of Education in 1956.
He became a teacher and counselor for Glastonbury (CT) High School, then in September 1960 moved from East Hartford to Norwalk, CT where he joined the guidance staff of Darien High School. During the summer of 1966 he led a group of 22 students to Israel on a service project under the auspices of the New York City-based 92nd Street Y. In 1967 he took on a guidance role at Staples High School (Westport, CT) and dramatically expanded it. Over two decades he became a fixture in Westport education - active in career counseling, adult education and work/study programs. He also volunteered at the Hope Center in Bridgeport, CT. Simultaneously, he was an energetic member of Temple Shalom in Norwalk becoming principal of the religious school. In 1978 he was named the outstanding counselor in the state of Connecticut by the Connecticut School Counselor Assn.
Mr. Silverstein is survived by his children; Lucy Tannen of Framingham, MA, Jeffrey Silverstein of Blackstone, MA, Timothy Silverstein and his wife, Sally of Norwalk, CT, Melanie Rosenbaum and her husband, Bruce of Thorndike, MA. He also leaves grandchildren; Caroline Savitzky (fiance' Mark-Anthony Delgado) of Arlington, MA, Alex Savitzky (fiance' Sandy Duplantis) of Marlboro, MA, Kate Silverstein (fiance' Chris Skall) of Somerville, MA, Ben Silverstein of Whitinsville, MA, Lindsay Navarro and her husband Matthew of La Grange, IL, Michael Silverstein of Norwalk, CT, Joseph Rosenbaum (fiance' Sydney Holewa) of Boston, MA, and Daniel Rosenbaum of Somerville MA; and great grandchildren; Devin Smith, Paige, Jordan and Zoey Savitzky, Jonathan and Nicole Navarro, and Madilyn and Salma Delgado-Savitzky. Melvin is also survived by his brother Nathan Silverstein of Branford, CT and his cousin Marilyn Benson of Bloomfield, CT along with many nieces and nephews. Melvin was predeceased by his brother Irving and his twin sister Evelyn Fain.
A memorial service will be held late in June in Hartford, CT followed by a social gathering to share memories and thoughts about Mr. Silverstein. Those wishing to attend should contact Jeff Silverstein at 774-270-0769.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Alzheimer's Association, Diabetes Research Institute, University of Hartford, or the Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester, MA. Online condolences may be left at https://www.ricefuneralhome.com/listings .