Jeroll Silverberg, 92, of New Canaan: Leading Owner of Property in Town

Via Leo P. Gallagher and Son Funeral Home

eroll R. (Jerry) Silverberg, 92, of New Canaan, CT and Stuart, Florida, husband of Jacqueline Drucker Silverberg passed away Thursday evening June 23rd at his Florida residence.

Born in Newark, NJ on January 9, 1924, he was the son of the late Samuel and Ida Feldman Silverberg and had been a long time New Canaan Resident. Jerry rose above the barriers of the past and was a respected member of the New Canaan business community. Both he and his father went to the same Junior and High Schools often having the same teacher. He graduated from Bucknell University in 1942 and Duke University 1944. Jerry clerked in New Jersey working in his uncle David Feldman's Law Firm. He passed the Connecticut Bar and put out his shingle across from the New Canaan Playhouse which he and his partner in property, the Franco Trust, eventually bought for the town to save it in the late 90's and the town later bought it back. With Jerry first big fee he bought a fancy car, and in those early days of late 40's was a dapper dresser.

His grandfather's advice look prosperous and your clients will come to you, he wore a homburg hat and pinstriped suits. When Jerry met Marian Stern and married her a new law firm was created Silverberg and Silverberg. Their first child Ellen was born in 1951, another daughter Phyllis in 1953 and twin sons David and Larry in 1957. After their divorce, Marian remarried and moved with the children to Israel. Jerry entered a new partnership with Mort Marvin and Phil Swaim. Respected by his peers he was an active member of the American Association of Matrimonial Law and invited to join "the Dirtie Thirtie" the top thirty divorce lawyers in the nation. Jerry certainly had a New Canaan practice that catered to the rich and famous from film stars to the mighty of business and commerce.

His long and distinguished career was notable for the over the top verdicts for clients dissolving lucrative marriages. He was one of the leading owners of property in New Canaan, a respected landlord and his word was bond. He was a world traveler and bon vivant celebrated his 92nd birthday in St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands on January 9th . It is there he spent some happy years as Captain of Legal Ease his 42' Grand Banks. Although he has had an oceanfront home in Stuart Florida for 25 years he loved the sixteen years he shared with his wife Jacqueline Drucker Segaloff Silverberg, enjoying their home and garden in London England and their friends from all over the world, New Canaan was always HOME. Jerry was a trumpeter for his High School Band, and he had a less than successful dance band "Moonlight Melodiers", an entrepreneur (paperboy with probably the best route in the state)Christmas tree voyeur (at the Rabbi Yudain's house the first-on-the-block to own a car $35 price tag.

An only child, the loquacious Silverberg has never been at a loss for words, even if he was talking to himself says Sid Yudain he always had a joke for every occasion and authoritative words of advice on everything. Until recently Jerry loved the Theatre, Opera, Restaurants, Cinema, Television and especially Tennis. He was out every night entertaining and being entertained.

Jerry recently gave his old trumpet to Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands…it has been restored and the Jerry Silverberg Trumpet Award and Scholarship has been awarded to a young student Keshawn Hardy of St Croix.

Funeral Services were held Sunday June 26th at Temple Sinai 458 Lakeside Dr, Stamford. Interment followed at Fairfield Memorial Park. Pall Bearers were Paul Romaniello, Thomas Franco, Frances Lumacad, Kenneth Mc Gahren, Richard Reach, and Stanley Rosner, MD. Honorary Pall Bearers were Dr. Jack Chachkes, Lawrence Silverberg, Prof. David Silverberg, David Drucker, David Segaloff, MD, Peter Segaloff and Alan Jaffe. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Foundation of Virgin Islands, The Jerry Silverberg Trumpet Award and Scholarship Fund, PO Box 11790 St. Thomas USV I 00801-4790 Or Treasure Coast Hospice 1201 SE Indian Street Stuart Florida 34997. Online Condolences may be made by visitingwww.leopgallagherstamford.com