Funeral Details

Dr. Edwin Barry Silverman, 79 (September 24, 1937 - September 13, 2017) passed away Wednesday surrounded by his family. Edwin, son of Albert and Lillian grew up in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago. He received a B.S. in engineering from Purdue University and earned a Doctorate in Romantic Literature from Northwestern University. He wed the late Marjorie nee Patros, Silverman in 1962 with whom he enjoyed 53 years of marriage and two children, Alexei and Maria. Edwin became a professor of literature at Boston University. He then went on to found the Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Services for the State of Illinois and he served as Bureau Chief for 38 years, retiring in 2014. He was one of the founders of SCORR, a conference of State Coordinators of refugee resettlement and he helped pen the Federal Refugee Act of 1980. As the child of refugees himself, he went on to give refuge to hundreds of thousands of immigrants from all over the world. He was a lover of games and crosswords, a lifelong Democrat, a singer of old standards, a builder of furniture, an avid traveler and an incredible writer. He is remembered by his son Alexei, daughter Maria, son-in- law Bill, and grandson Nathaniel, as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins, Lincoln Park neighbors and members of the refugee resettlement community. A service will be held 12 noon on Friday, September 15, 2017 at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL. Interment 1:30 PM at Westlawn Cemetery, 7801 W. Montrose Ave., Norridge, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations in Edwin’s name may be made to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, ATTN: Refugee Services, 30 South Wells Street, Chicago, IL 60606 Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com