Michael Francis Silberstein
Michael Francis Silberstein passed away peacefully in his Mill Valley home of 46 years on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. He was 72 years old. Balancing a childlike innocence with a ferocious curiosity, he was a consummate people person. All who knew him were captivated by his infectious smile, upbeat personality and zest for life.
A native San Franciscan, he graduated from Westmoor High School and Pomona College. Michael was a Coro Fellow with an internship in public affairs before attending Hastings College of Law. He fought the War on Poverty while working for Legal Aid Society in East Palo Alto and Daly City before going into his own law practice in Marin County.
Having acquired the travel bug from his parents, Sylvia and Irvin Silberstein, Michael spent a summer in Ethiopia building a school as part of Crossroads Africa. He continued his international gallivanting with his wife Marsha, journeying to over 40 countries.
Michael served on several boards over the years including Kiddo, Marin Jewish Community Center and the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival. He was an avid supporter of the Bay Area theatre community as well as a die-hard sports fan of the Giants and the 49ers. In fact, he sold hot dogs in Kezar Stadium at the 49ers early games.
A true lover of the outdoors, Michael and the family camped at UC Berkeley’s Lair of the Golden Bear for over 50 years. He climbed Half Dome in Yosemite multiple times and conquered Mount Whitney at age 66.
Unarguably, Michael’s greatest self-proclaimed achievement was his family. He adored the roles of husband, father, grandfather, uncle and first cousin (heading up the Gang of 13). He took endless pride in being the loving, generous and teasing patriarch, whether it was building a castle or a bird house for his grandurchins or simply watching his children become fine human beings. He boasted about his extended family throughout the world from Edinburgh to Barcelona, Malaysia to Israel and Mexico.
Michael is survived by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Marsha Renkow Silberstein, his brother David Silberstein, his daughters Rachel Tessa Silberstein (Andy Hill) and Jessica Sarah Brewster (Mark Brewster), his son Michael Ballantyne, his grandchildren Ruby and Zeke Hill Silberstein, Olivia and Evan Brewster as well as brother and sisters in-law, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, an aunt and an uncle.
There will be a memorial celebrating Michael’s life on June 28, 2015 at the Tamalpais Valley Community Center in Mill Valley. The family asks that donations be sent to any of the following groups: Yosemite Conservancy, Kiddo, or Marin Jewish Community Center.