SILVERSTEIN, Ben
Ben Silverstein, 102, of West Hartford, formerly of Bloomfield, the son of the late Boris and Anna Silverstein, and the husband of the late Sarah Silverstein, passed away on Saturday, (December 24, 2005) at the Hebrew Home and Hospital, where he had been a resident since April 2004. Born in Rumania on May 13, 1903, he came to the United States when he was six months old. He lived most of his life in New York City where he worked as a distribution manager at the Superior Linen Company until his retirement at the age of 65. He then enjoyed his part time work at the Simmons Mattress Company. Ben was a writer of poetry. An ode to his late wife, Sarah, was published in “”Songs on the Wind””. For his 90th birthday, a collection of his poems was put into book form, along with many family photos, by his granddaughter Francine. He also enjoyed collecting coins and stamps. Ben loved to tell jokes, and could rattle off a dozen at a time. People marveled at how he always remembered the punch lines that most of us forget. People will remember Ben most for his friendly manner, cheerfulness, and optimistic attitude toward life. He is survived by two daughters, Celine Friedberg of Monroe Township, NJ, and Korine Ferraro and her husband Ronald of Bristol. He also leaves five grandchildren — Bruce Friedberg and his wife Madelyn Baran of Novato, CA, and Harwin Friedberg and his wife Diane of Auburn, CA, Judith Friedberg of New York City, Francine Ferraro Rothkopf and her husband David of Ashland, MA, and Melissa Ferraro-Borgida and her husband Adam, of Farmington. In addition, he leaves five great-grandchildren — Hannah and Julia Borgida, and Samuel, Micah and Sofia Rothkopf. Ben also leaves two sisters, Claire and Yetta Silverstein, in New York City. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Fairview, NJ. Shiva will be observed at the home of his daughter, Korine Ferraro, 40 Northwestern Drive, Bristol, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Hebrew Health Care, 1 Abrahms Blvd., West Hartford, CT 06117, or to the Federation Homes Endowment Fund, 156 Wintonbury Avenue, Bloomfield, CT 06002. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. For further information, directions, or to share memories of Ben with his family, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.
