Obituary: Lewis Silverboard
Lewis Silverboard passed away August 16, at his home in Atlanta, weeks shy of his 101st birthday.
Mr. Silverboard was born in Glasgow, Scotland on September 29, 1915. He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Mary Silverboard; his wife, Evelyn Iteld Silverboard; his son, Stanley Silverboard; and siblings, Bessie Bredow, Eddie Silverboard, and Sara Ronick, all of Atlanta.
A resolute optimist, Lewis encouraged his friends and family to embrace life, to be kind to others, to be, in the Jewish tradition, a “mensch.” Lewis grew up in the Old Fourth Ward and attended the old Boys High School. An accomplished player of both the flute and piccolo, Lewis was awarded music scholarships to Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. After his father passed away, however, Lewis forewent college to work alongside his mother in the family’s grocery store.
Eventually, Lewis opened his own store on North Highland Avenue, Gate City Supermarket, where his customers included Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. In 1938, Lewis rescued a mother and her baby from a burning apartment on Boulevard by shimmying up an outside pipe to the 2nd floor, an event which was reported on the front page of the Atlanta Journal. Lewis was also an indelible member of the Atlanta Jewish community, including Congregation Ahavath Achim, his family having joined the AA in 1921. He was an active participant in Atlanta’s musical community, performing in the precursor to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Philharmonic, as well as the Yaarab Shrine Band.
His lifelong friend, Larry Greenberg, saw to it that Lewis attended band practice with the Yaarab Shrine Band whenever Lewis was up to it. Lewis’s greatest passion was his wife of 65 years, Evelyn. Lewis composed musical pieces, including one special piece in memory of Evelyn entitled “Chaveleh,” as well as countless love poems to his wife through the years. Lewis and Evelyn were able to travel the world, visiting the Far East, Europe, and Israel, and raise five children from their home in Lenox Park.
Lewis is survived by sons, Dr. Gerald Silverboard (Nancy) of Atlanta, GA, and Reid Silverboard (Jill) of Largo, FL; daughters, Susan Silverboard and Nancy Greenberg (Mike) of Atlanta, GA; daughter-in-law, Helaine Cain; grandchildren: Marc Silverboard (Marianne), Dr. Howard Silverboard (Hilary), Dr. Mindy Gofton (Rick), Dan Silverboard, Josh Silverboard (Lisa), Scott Silverboard (Shannon), Dr. Jake Greenberg, Adam S. Kaufman, Alex Silverboard (Grace), Wendy Greenberg, and Rachel and Laura Silverboard; and great-grandchildren: Allison, Brian, Anderson, Quinn, and Hannah Silverboard.
The family wishes to extend their gratefulness and thankfulness to the following wonderful loving caretakers who were entrusted with their father’s care: Andrea Freeman, Audrey Cox, Bernestine Hodges, Ketia Jean-Noel, Tequila “Boo” Dorsey, and most especially Barbara Bowen, whom Lewis adored to the end.
Sign online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were held August 18 at Arlington Memorial Park with Rabbi Josh Heller and Rabbi Neil Sandler officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the United States Memorial Holocaust Museum, or the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
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