Obituary for Gary Scott Silverstein
Gary Scott Silverstein, age 65, of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, passed away Wednesday January 20th at Temple University Hospital due to complications with the COVID-19 virus.
Gary was born May 20, 1955 in Brooklyn, NY. As a child, Gary’s family lived in Brooklyn and Chicago and finally settled in North Miami Beach, Florida where he spent a childhood riding bikes, playing football in the street outside his family’s home, and hanging around town with his friends. He loved telling stories about his time spent there. He graduated from North Miami Beach High School.
After high school, Gary worked in various jobs until his love of country led him to joining the United States Air Force in 1976 as an Air Traffic Controller. In the Air Force, Gary was able to see the world. He was stationed in places like Aviano, Italy; Incirlik, Turkey; and Spangdahlem, Germany (where he met his wife of 28 years, Donna), as well as many other places stateside. Gary served in the Gulf War while stationed at Incirlik, Turkey. He retired in 1998.
After retirement from the Air Force, he worked as an Air Traffic Controller at Trenton-Mercer Tower from 2000 – 2002, and then worked as a contractor with the Federal Aviation Administration at the William J. Hughes Technical Center until 2009.
Given the gift of life, Gary was the recipient of donor lungs. In 2016, Gary had a double lung transplant and enjoyed spending time getting to know his donor, Duncan Heidler’s, family. He was so thankful for their incredible generosity and the opportunity to spend more time with the people he loved most, his family.
Gary enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren. He loved watching old movies and tv shows, Dolphins and Hurricanes football, and Red Sox baseball. An avid guitar player, he relished a good jam session with old friends.
Gary is predeceased by his mother, Deborah Silverstein (nee Bender); his father, Larry Silverstein and his loving step-mother, Phyllis Silverstein (nee Glass).
Gary is survived by his wife of 28 years, Donna (nee Hitchcock); his sons, Jeremy Silverstein (Katie), Matthew Flamensfeld (Audrey), and Lucas Silverstein; his daughters, Meredith Flamensfeld (Anthony Primodie) and Francesca Silverstein; his grandchildren Layla, Peyton, Isis, Lucia, Jaxton, Jovie, and Anthem; his brother, Steven Silverstein (Kelly); his sister Randee Silverstein; as well as countless members of extended family and friends.
Gary will have a graveside service with Military Honors on Sunday January 24, 2021 at 1:00pm at the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery, located in Estell Manor Park, 109 NJ-50, Estell Manor, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary's memory to the American Lung Association https://www.lung.org or to the memorial fund of Gary's lung donor: Duncan Heidler Memorial Fund, 417 Summerhill Rd., Berwick, PA 18603.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be having a gathering after the services. We hope that you will join us for a Celebration of Life to be planned at a future date.
Gary was born May 20, 1955 in Brooklyn, NY. As a child, Gary’s family lived in Brooklyn and Chicago and finally settled in North Miami Beach, Florida where he spent a childhood riding bikes, playing football in the street outside his family’s home, and hanging around town with his friends. He loved telling stories about his time spent there. He graduated from North Miami Beach High School.
After high school, Gary worked in various jobs until his love of country led him to joining the United States Air Force in 1976 as an Air Traffic Controller. In the Air Force, Gary was able to see the world. He was stationed in places like Aviano, Italy; Incirlik, Turkey; and Spangdahlem, Germany (where he met his wife of 28 years, Donna), as well as many other places stateside. Gary served in the Gulf War while stationed at Incirlik, Turkey. He retired in 1998.
After retirement from the Air Force, he worked as an Air Traffic Controller at Trenton-Mercer Tower from 2000 – 2002, and then worked as a contractor with the Federal Aviation Administration at the William J. Hughes Technical Center until 2009.
Given the gift of life, Gary was the recipient of donor lungs. In 2016, Gary had a double lung transplant and enjoyed spending time getting to know his donor, Duncan Heidler’s, family. He was so thankful for their incredible generosity and the opportunity to spend more time with the people he loved most, his family.
Gary enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren. He loved watching old movies and tv shows, Dolphins and Hurricanes football, and Red Sox baseball. An avid guitar player, he relished a good jam session with old friends.
Gary is predeceased by his mother, Deborah Silverstein (nee Bender); his father, Larry Silverstein and his loving step-mother, Phyllis Silverstein (nee Glass).
Gary is survived by his wife of 28 years, Donna (nee Hitchcock); his sons, Jeremy Silverstein (Katie), Matthew Flamensfeld (Audrey), and Lucas Silverstein; his daughters, Meredith Flamensfeld (Anthony Primodie) and Francesca Silverstein; his grandchildren Layla, Peyton, Isis, Lucia, Jaxton, Jovie, and Anthem; his brother, Steven Silverstein (Kelly); his sister Randee Silverstein; as well as countless members of extended family and friends.
Gary will have a graveside service with Military Honors on Sunday January 24, 2021 at 1:00pm at the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery, located in Estell Manor Park, 109 NJ-50, Estell Manor, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary's memory to the American Lung Association https://www.lung.org or to the memorial fund of Gary's lung donor: Duncan Heidler Memorial Fund, 417 Summerhill Rd., Berwick, PA 18603.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be having a gathering after the services. We hope that you will join us for a Celebration of Life to be planned at a future date.