Hugh W. Silberman
Hugh W. Silberman, loving husband, father, uncle, papa, captain and friend to many people, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, in his home.
He was born Feb. 18, 1942, in Chicago, Ill. Hugh graduated from Rochester High School in 1960 and married his high school sweetheart, LaVon Johnson, in 1962. He attended Indiana University South Bend and moved to the South Bend area in 1964.
In 1968, he started Automatic Molded Plastics, a custom injection molding company. Throughout his career in plastics, he also opened Aquarius Tool and Mold, Inc and Aquarius Plastic Finishers. The companies became Automatic Technologies, Inc and was sold in 1998 upon his retirement. He is past chairman of the Midwest Section of the Society of Plastics Industry. He served on many local boards throughout his career.
After his retirement, he found his special purpose and became a certified US Coast Guard Captain fulfilling his lifelong dream sailing his 43 ft Catamaran, “Wild Dreams” from Capetown, South Africa to Roadtown, Tortola and through the Caribbean Islands, The Bahamas, Key West, Dry Tortugas, and the Florida West Coast.
A summer resident of Diamond Island for 38 years, he taught nieces, nephews, his daughters and their friends to water ski, sail, and fish. His love of music, dancing, sunshine and water was enjoyed by all who knew him. There was always time for fun and a gathering of friends and family.
Survivors include his wife: LaVon “Bonnie” Silberman; their daughters: Ursula (Barry )Irwin, Burr Ridge, Ill.; Angela (Court) Williams, Desert Hot Springs, Calif.; and Heather Silberman, Chicago, Ill.; granddaughters: Cassidy Irwin; Courtney Irwin; Ruby Williams; Pearl Williams; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sisters: Madonna (Ronald) Johnson, Hillsboro, Iowa; Claudia (Gary) Medsker, Fort Wayne; Cheryle Neubeck, Rochester; and Suzanne (Steve) Jones, Macy. Preceding him in death were his parents: Donald and Edna Silberman; and his sister: Sandra Briney.
A celebration of life will be held from 3-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at Palmer Funeral Home, Hickey Chapel, South Bend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Chicago Yacht Club, Chicago, St Patrick’s Park, c/o St Joseph County Parks, South Bend, or Center for Hospice Care, Mishawaka.