Jack I. Silverstein
May 13, 2020
JACK I. SILVERSTEIN: Age 73, of Monroeville died Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Beloved and devoted son of the late Pearl and Moses Silverstein, who were Holocaust survivors, Jack was born in Feldafing, Germany, a displaced persons camp following the end of WW II. He was preceded in death by a sister, 8-year-old Leah Lerman who perished in the Kovno Concentration Camp. Growing up in Utica, NY, he and his parents were among the last immigrants to arrive via Ellis Island. Loving and devoted husband of Donna Levenson Wolfson; loving step-father of Lynne (Wolfson) and Shmulik Gazit of Tel Mond, Israel; adored and cherished Zayde of Yael Chaya Gazit and Asaf David Gazit of Tel Mond, Israel; beloved father of Craig (Alyssa) Silverstein of Bethesda, MD and Scott (Michelle Poirier) Silverstein of Clarksville, MD; beloved grandfather of Nora, Evan, Emma and Sidney Silverstein. Also survived by his devoted sister-in-law and brother-in-law Joyce (Levenson) and Joop Offerman, his loving niece and nephew Anna Louis (Wease) Offerman and Andy Offerman and beloved cousins Belinda (Robert Clark) Suntop, Maureen (Michael) Wynn, Cheryl Suntop Furstoss, and Moty and Masha Zilberstein of Holon, Israel and Ronit and Rammy Gedalyahu of Ramat Gan, Israel. After receiving a life-saving kidney/pancreas transplant in 2002, Jack made it his mission to promote organ donation. He was co-founder, along with the late Stephanie Page and the late Robb Wilson, of the Western PA Kidney Support Groups; he was an active volunteer with the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) and Team Alleghenies Transplant. He volunteered in the transplant centers of Montefiore Hospital of UPMC and Allegheny General Hospital. He served as an Independent Consumer Advocate Manager on the Board of Managers with the Fresenius Seamless Care of Erie Valley. Jack was recognized by the National Kidney Foundation at the 2010 Transplant Games in Madison, WI with the "Making Lives Better" award and in 2019 in Pittsburgh with the "Small Hands, Big Heart" award. He was the recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award and the Allegheny County Medical Society's Benjamin Rush Community Organization award. The family wants to express its extreme love and gratitude to Don and Lynette Fitzwater and their daughters Kelsey Weed and Haley Seeley whose selfless gift of love of donating their son and brother Jordan's organs gave Jack an additional 17 3/4 years of life. Jack continues to enhance the lives of others by being a tissue, bone, skin and cornea donor. The family wants to thank Jack's phenomenal and compassionate caregivers Laura Meyers, Sherry Musco, David Muir and Rachel Mound of Interim Hospice and his caring and compassionate transplant team of doctors and nurses Ron Shapiro, Ngoc Thai, David Levenson, Janice Glidewell and Shelly Lyons. Because of COVID-19, Services and Interment Private. Contributions in Jack's memory may be made to Team Alleghenies c/o CORE, 204 Sigma Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 or the Western PA Kidney Support Groups, 1009 Harvard Road, Monroeville, PA 15146. But the greatest honor that can be accorded to Jack is to register as an organ donor. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. www.schugar.com
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Our sympathies go out to you Donna and all of Jack"s family. We will miss Jack,
Love you Gary, Jody and Sarah Miller
By Gary, Jody and Sarah Miller - May 16, 2020
Even as the writer I am, I can't put the proper words to work in paying true tribute to jack - and to you. He accomplished much through your "team effort," and what you both accocmplished - and what I know you will continue to accomplish in and for the field of transplantation - I salute you as I mourn him. I have passed the word to all our cousins; to you, I send hope that I'll be able to see you in person later this very strange year - maybe w/a visit in time for the Komen Race (now rescheduled for September 13 - and Rosh Hashana to follow. From Cousin Harriet
By harriet gross - May 16, 2020
I'm so sorry to hear about Jack. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
By Amanda Driver - May 15, 2020
Donna, Jack's passion for and commitment to the transplant community were an inspiration to so many. You and the family are in our thoughts and prayers.
By Paul and Lynne Turnquist - May 15, 2020
Dear Donna, You have our deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband. We will miss him. We had so much fun when we volunteered at CORE. Jayne and Diane
By Jayne Rhodes - May 15, 2020
Dear Donna and family,
You have my sympathies and prayers. I am sorry to hear of Jack's passing.
May you find peace in knowing he will forever be in your hearts.
By Maryann Janssen - May 15, 2020
My sympathy to Donna and family.. Many memories of Jack and you.
By Patricia Boyer - May 15, 2020
Donna, our hearts and thoughts are with you. I remember you wearing the organ alarm as you were on the wait list. Jack had a wonderful life because of you. Feel good about all you did and remember the good times .
By Sharyn & Eddie Weiss - May 15, 2020
Deepest sympathies to all of Jack's family and friends and the legacy he leaves on the transplant scene will always be remembered.
By Jim Uhrig - May 14, 2020
We love you and will miss you dearly. JACK was a top of the line person
.kind fun to be with a true believer in helping those whom by transplant could survive longer and be with loved ones and was s.uccessful. elinda and I will miss Jack
By Ed and Elinda Reich - May 14, 2020
Donna you and your family are in our prayers Jack was a force to be reckoned with and devoted his whole life to helping and teaching people with transplants. He will be missed very much. Love Vicki and norb
By Vicki Georges - May 14, 2020
Jack was a dear man who made all he met better and happier. My heart goes out to Donna and his family.
By David Rozelle - May 14, 2020
A man who would listen to a problem and always try to help. Also he tried to do his very best for others. As we reflect on my very dear friend, I say not goodbye but we will see you soon some day my friend.
By Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Mores - May 14, 2020
sorry for you loss Donna and your family
he was a great friend and golfer that is where I met jack
always enjoyed his company
may he rest in peace he will be missed
By john pennick - May 14, 2020
When a great person dies, the whole world is the worse....and so it is with the passing of Jack...who devoted his life to the extension and the betterment of the lives of others...he will be missed so much by us and by so many others.
By Bobbie and Dan Arnheim - May 14, 2020
Always very sad when an old friend passes! Thank you Jack for sharing the love with so many others thru your many, many volunteer and leadership accomplishments. RIP my old friend.
By Ronald Hochhauser - May 14, 2020