Damien Silverstein, 47

Damien Silverstein, 47, of Punxsutawney, passed away Friday, April 29, 2022, unexpectedly at the Punxsutawney Area Hospital.

He was born Sept. 20, 1974, to the late Robert Silverstein and Angel Simpson in Los Angeles, California.

He is survived by his spouse of 16 years, Ashley Minster, a daughter, Chloe Emma Silverstein, and a son, Lucas Mason Silverstein, all of Punxsutawney; step-father Mark Simpson of North Versailles; two aunts, Elizabeth Phelps of San Diego, California and Mary Katsuleris of Pittsburgh; an uncle, George Katsuleris; numerous cousins; fatherin- law Ernest Minster of Punxsutawney; and sisters- in- law Kristine Jekielek and husband Josh of Kane, Erin Minster and husband Evan Boley of Gold Beach, Oregon, and Bridget Minster of Punxsutawney. His loving nieces and nephews include: Andrew, Cora, Ruby, Owen, Opal and Thomas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his uncle, Mason Phelps; his aunt, Karen Molloy; and mother-in-law Mary Minster.

Before settling in Pennsylvania, Damien spent his youth in southern and northern California. He, his mother and Mark moved to the East Coast, where Damien attended several universities in his pursuit of knowledge, experience, and in his lifelong endeavor to connect to people in the late 1990s. He achieved his paralegal degree from the Sanford Brown Institute on Jan. 9, 2009.

He connected with the love of his life, Ashley Minster, meeting at their place of employment, where they established their initial relationship while they both should have been working. Their life together began in Mt. Lebanon, where their children, Chloe and Lucas were born. Damien and Ashley, with their children, eventually moved to Punxsutawney, where they established a home amongst family and friends. Settling in Punxsutawney was a culture Damien had yet to experience; he was marveled by the support and sense of community he found there.

Damien was a loving and dedicated father. He loved sports, and he loved watching, coaching, and being involved with his children and the sports in which they were involved. He loved his nephews and nieces and supporting kids of all ages, especially in their sports endeavors. Dame especially loved soccer, tennis, football, baseball and softball. The love of sports was instilled in him at a young age by his father and the support and camaraderie of competition was a place in which he found deep connection and comfort with friends and family. He loved the successes of others as much as his own. He was a true believer in people and their talents and their successes.

His large personality and exuberant spirit were hallmarks of who he was. He loved to help people, and this translated to his life-long career in the professional moving business, where people needed and appreciated his valued service, and he loved to help them in their time of need. He loved pumpkin pie and cantaloupe, all the time. He loved Arnold Schwarzenegger’s full body work-out plan and milk; milk is necessary. He loved the ocean and boogie boarding, even during red flag events. He loved animals, especially dogs. He believed in a good and loving God and had a close personal relationship with God throughout his life. Damien spent his life hustling around the bases and is now, finally, safe at home.

Friends will be received on Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m. at the McCabe Funeral Home, 114 Maple Ave., Punxsutawney, PA 15767; a funeral service will be celebrated on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be made to the Punxsutawney Area Community Center, 209 N. Jefferson St., Punxsutawney, PA, 15767.

To share a condolence, visit www. mccabewaldronfh.com.