Ernest Gunner Silverberg

• An Ode To Celebrate the Life of My Grandpa....one of the greatest men who ever lived....may he rest in peace with his Eternal Father. This morning,May 23,2013, young-hearted Ernest Gunner Silverberg passed away at 99 years of age, departing this world peacefully and leaving 115+ family members, created by he and his wife of 65 years….Jane Kathryn Silverberg, to celebrate his life and carry on his legacy. Ernest was born on March 9, 1914 to Swedish parents Oscar and Wendla Silverberg. After 99 years of living, Ernest’s bright and sharp mind kept stories from his younger days alive by passing them on to his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and great-great-great grandchildren. Ernest, without question, was one of the brightest and most driven men alive. When Ernest was child, English was not spoken at home so in order to prepare himself to begin school, Ernest said he read every book in their extensive home library at the ‘home place’ where his brother, Axel Silverberg (97) still lives. Stories remain of him driving he and his brothers to school at the age of 12 so they could all attend; stories of their mother pressing their suits to the ‘T’ that she had made so that they had the perfect attire for school; stories of his fond memories of becoming a father of nine children….camping, traveling and moving back and forth from Florida to Massachusetts, buying and selling real estate, and his passion in the tool and dye business. One thing was for certain with Ernest….he loved life and a new adventure, instilling that in his family. Ernest was the type man who loved everyone unconditionally, believed in the best in people, and told every person in his family that he or she was his favorite. No man could have loved and enjoyed his life more….one of the most well rounded people that walked this Earth…..and passed those traits down to his family. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Jane Silverberg, whom he cared for as she became ill with Alzheimer’s and lost her limbs due to diabetes. Her last few years were spent at home as Ernest did everything in his power to make her comfortable, changing her several times a day, feeding her applesauce, and singing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song with her until the day she passed on. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Wendla Silverberg, as his mother taught him unconditional love and his father taught him his lifelong trade of tool and dye making; his daughter, Sally Allensworth, who was full of life and had his humorous wit; his son, David (JoEllen) Silverberg, who also loved life and made sure his kids looked back on the fun they had growing up; his son, Ernest Silverberg, Jr, who traveled the world as one of the great philosophers and enjoyed the open road; and, his son, Gustav Silverberg, who depended greatly on his family and loved them with all his heart. He is also preceded in death by his sister, Karin (Roy) Knox, who lived her life calling to serve her Lord; his brother, Carl (Mabel) Silverberg, a brilliant chemical engineer with quick wit; his brother, Arvie (Mildred), who was an excellent stone mason and was such a happy person, enjoying life; his brother, Eddie (Angie) Silverberg, who lived his life as an OBGYN MD, caring for his community and family. Given the chance again, these people would say what an interestingly sharp person Ernest was and that his family was his first priority. Daughters by Ernest’s side as he passed on included: Wendla Silverberg, whose humor kept Ernest’s spirits up as he passed on; Judy, whose mothering nature has always ensured he was comfortable, well take care of, and made sure he knew he was loved; Debra, who Ernest had spent the past year living with as his caretaker, daughter, and friend….her laughter kept him going as they shared in unconditional love for each other and he enjoying being able to see her children and grandchildren on a daily basis; Donna, who has been with Ernest most of her life, enjoying each other’s company and serving as her sons’ (and others) father figure as they grew up; and, Michael, who shares the same passion for tool and dye making and philosophy as well. Ernest was also surrounded by his grandchildren, whom he loved and they loved him dearly as he watched them emulate his life philosophy of loving unconditionally, keeping child rearing fun and adventuresome, and remembering that family is everything. He taught everyone that life is too short to not love, appreciate, be happy and humble in the small everyday blessings of life. Ernest will be remembered most by his brilliantly amazing mind and interestingly entertaining in-depth stories that let everyone know what was important to him. Anyone who knew him realized what an honor it had been to know him, and to know him was to love him. His legacy shall continue here as his passes on to his Eternal Life in Heaven. A memorial service will conducted June 15th at 4pm so that family members have the ability to come together to celebrate his life together and pay their respects to the man who started it all…. He who walks with the wise grows wise……Proverbs 13:20 He will be dearly missed by all…… Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Ernest Gunner Silverberg.