Jack Silverman

Jack I. Silverman, 88, of Short Hills died July 3, 2016. He was born in Newark and moved to Millburn in 1968 and in 1972 to Short Hills. 

Mr. Silverman entered his father’s business, M. Canfield & Sons, rejoining his father, Arthur Silverman, after the Korean War. In 1958, his brother, Robert, joined him and his father at Canfield. In 1968, his father turned the solder business over to his two sons, with Jack becoming president of Canfield Metals and Bob vice president. They began expanding the business, and by 1972, had acquired five other companies, making them the third largest manufacturer in the United States. He retired in 1992.

He graduated from Weequahic High School in Newark in 1945, where he played the trumpet. He attended New York University, 1945-47, and Syracuse University, 1947-49, graduating with a BS in radio and speech. 

In 1952, he was drafted into the Army as a Private First Class and was sent to Korea. He was stationed in Seoul and became a part of the Armed Forces Radio Service on the Vagabond radio station. He was known as “Happy Jack.” In 1954, he was honorably discharged as a corporal.

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His interests included acting with and directing the Y players at the YM-YWHA of Newark, making records with RCA, being an announcer and DJ at the Morristown and Trenton radio stations, and making radio commercials locally and nationally.

In 1974, he joined the Millburn/Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad. For 37 years he served in almost every capacity, including president.

He took courses and became a certified mediator for the Essex County Small Claims Courts. In the evenings, he sang with the Rahway Valley Jerseyaires Barbershop Chorus.  He formed his own barbershop quartet, the TLCs, performing at senior citizen facilities and nursing homes.

Mr. Silverman is survived by his wife, Geraldine, whom he married in 1964; two sons, Ron of Springfield and Jonathan of California; three daughters, Cindy Williams of Kentucky, Shelley Space of Sparta, and Jamie Silverman Hersch of Livingston; his stepson, Jed Zarin of Rockaway; and seven grandchildren.

Services were held July 7 with arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union. Memorial contributions may be made to the Millburn/Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad.