Barry Silverman

July 31, 1940 - August 18, 2014 Longtime Berkeley resident Barry
Silverman passed away on August 18, 2014. He died from complications
due to brain seizures at the age of 74 with his wife, Carolyn, by
his side and his two children, Joshua Silverman and Kerry Fiero,
nearby.

Barry was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA where he attended
Fairfax High School. He left L.A. after finishing high school and
joined the army reserves, returning to L.A. to attend Los Angeles
City College. He soon felt the pull of the Bay Area and landed in
Berkeley in 1962. He attended UC Berkeley for both undergraduate
and graduate studies completing a MBA in 1965. Soon after he married
Wende Heath and they had two wonderful children, Joshua and Kerry.

Barry had a keen intellect, terrific sense of humor, and a commitment
to truth and justice. He was actively engaged in the Free Speech
Movement at UC Berkeley. He attended many rallies and protests over
three decades (and even spent a little time behind bars for it).

Barry went on to work under Harry Bridges as Research Director at
the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and finished
his career there under James Herman. He worked tirelessly helping
to negotiate longshore and warehouse contracts on the West Coast
and Hawaii. He was a smart negotiator and a strong advocate for
working people all of his life. Barry taught collective bargaining
at SF City College in the 1970s and early 80s. He really loved
teaching, his students, and was proud of his abilities as a teacher.
He was also an outspoken member of the Alameda County Grand Jury
1995-1996.

Barry's career at the ILWU was cut short in 1988 as a result of a
cerebral hemorrhage but he went on to live a life full of camping
adventures and trips to Europe with Carolyn.

Barry was strong willed and even stubborn at times, but you always
knew where you stood. He was a straight shooter and those around
him were put at ease by his honesty and kindness. Barry was passionate
about baseball, jazz music, horse races, the great outdoors and he
LOVED being a father and grandfather. Barry immersed himself in the
culture of Berkeley and was a fixture at Peet's on Solano Avenue
and the MLK Jr. Middle School track where he walked and ran thousands
of miles. He held a deep love for Carolyn, his wife of 26 years,
and the house they shared with their two cats, Chester and Sophie.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Corbelli, former wife Wende
Heath, brother Richard Silverman, son Joshua Silverman, daughter
Kerry Fiero, son-in-law Gian Fiero and grandson Gianardo Fiero.

A memorial will be held at 12:00 noon September 13, 2014 at Epworth
United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins Ave., Berkeley.  - See more
at:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituary.aspx?n=barry-silverman&pid=172268158#sthash.noMTlbnM.dpuf