04/03/2026
Louis Philip Silverman
August 15, 1935-April 1, 2026
Lawyer, businessman, husband, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, Godfather, cousin, mentor and friend died after a long-term illness.
Born August 15, 1935, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Rachel (SAUL) & Isaac Silverman, the second of three sons. Lost Brother S. Edwin at age 4 of Lymphatic Leukemia, and brother Doctor Joseph at age 92 in 2025. He attended Altoona Public schools except for one and one-half years at Mercersburg Academy. Graduated Altoona Areas High School in 1953, Dickinson College in 1957 where he was a member of Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity and received the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award. Graduated from University of Pennsylvania Law School after completing two years of military service as a 1st lieutenant in Counterintelligence and discharged as a Captain.
Lou was a talented athlete. He had extensive experience as an AZA intrastate basketball player, a high school ward league, City league, and college baseball player. He pitched in the national tournament after his Sixth Ward team won the Ward League championship in Altoona.
He entered the practice of law with Goodman & Notopoulos, eventually becoming a partner. Special focus on labor law, usually representing employers but famous for his good relations with union members.
One of his life-long interests was community development. He was Vice President of the Downtown Altoona Redevelopment Effort (DARE) and Altoona Progressive Developers Association (APDI) in which his work included recruitment of business and industry to the downtown Altoona area. Such projects included design and construction of the Payne Webber building, Railroad Retirement Building, and recruiting various businesses and industries for the 11th avenue marketplace.
Despite his father’s admonition: “Don’t go into the theatre business!” Lou did indeed pursue his father’s career, which Lou always loved and followed encyclopedically even as a young boy. His father, Isaac Silverman, a Warner Brother’s field operative, had pioneered motion picture exhibition in Altoona. Lou, following in those footsteps, was associated with Hollidaysburg’s Blair Theatre until it closed, and the Miller Cinemas in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. He went on to administer a collection of theaters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and partnered with Edward Troll, at Westmorland Theatre services in Johnstown, PA; John Nelson, at Lehighton Entertainment, Lehighton, PA; and with the Zurich associates and theatre services in Upstate New York.
He married his life-long business partner and friend, Veronica Ann Samborsky-Silverman, in 2008.
Lou had many friends. His brother described Lou as charismatic. If I met someone who was also a friend of Lou’s, first question asked was: “How’s your brother?”
His various community associations and memberships included as follows: He was a member of the Blair County Bar association serving as President in 2012; Board Member Blair County Civic Music Association and legal counsel; Board Member Wolf Furniture Corporation; Board Member Penn State Centre Stage; Board Member National Association of Pennsylvania Theater Owners; Board Member Garvey Manor Nursing Home and past Vice President.
Other various community organizations included as follows: Jaffa Shrine; Scottish Rite, Valley of Altoona, sixty-year member; Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees); Center for the Penn State Performing Arts; Friend, Palmer Museum of Art.
Also, he was an Honorary Penn State Alumnus.
Louis was a member of many Jewish congregations from Pennsylvania to California to provide financial support. He was also a lifelong supporter of the state of Israel, which he visited multiple times and once as a student ambassador.
Louis has always been an advocate of the underdog, hence his undying loyalty for the often-beleaguered Brooklynn Dodgers. He was a gentle man, a free spirit, a good neighbor hosting Christmas parties for the neighborhood in past years for all to stay connected and bring good cheer. He was dedicated to family, and a dear great nephew bestowed his Eagle Scout “Mentor” pin to his Uncle Lou since “he was dedicated to family and a positive role model”.
Lou was a very generous man donating to various charities but foremost to great nieces and nephews’ college education thus Psychologist, business leaders, history enthusiasts, marketing specialist, Veterinarians, engineers go forth to service.
He enjoyed travel to Europe, Netherlands, South America, Middle East, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand…. But he loved holidays in Boston with Betsy’s “infamous” family dinners. Chanukah with Ed & Rachel cavorting with nephews and nieces. Then Palm Springs International Film Festival in January hosted by Rabbi & Lynda Ziont’s. Chautauqua in the summers with the Wolfs and Becker’s. Often hosted summer engagements with beloved cousins reminiscing “Good old days”, Then off to New York with Steve Port, Lou’s dearest friend, and his wife Phyllis, and maybe along the way a stop at their Ventnor, NJ condo with a 360 view of the glorious Atlantic.
And of course, Penn State football with family and the McMurray’s and the Pitman’s; Penn State Basketball dinners with the Kaminsky’s; Train rides and cruises with brother-in-law John & Eleanor; Thanksgiving with “Judy & the boys”; Trips with the Ashcroft’s. Then there was the Centre for the performing arts theatre and concerts, Jazz, opera, Penn State Centre Stage performances. Paris with brother Joe & Pat and, first and foremost, he was host and nurturer and mentor to nieces and nephews and cousins attending The Pennsylvania State University thus fostering their educational journeys.
Although he traveled most of the world, Lou was a homebody as he loved reading his 4- 5 newspapers per day overlooking his flower gardens in summer and frozen landscape in winter, watching the CNBC stock reports, and of course, discussing international news, current events, and sports. Best kept secret? Great Ballroom Dancer!
He is survived by his wife, Veronica Samborsky, of State College, PA; Sister-in-law Patricia Silverman of Hollidaysburg, PA; brother-in-law, John Samborsky, of Pickerington, Ohio; sister-in-law Julia Samborsky of Front Royal, VA; and numerous nephews and nieces and cousins from California, Virginia, Hawaii, NY, MA, FL, PA, OH, NJ, Il, KS, and NC.
Contributions to Temple Beth Israel, 3004 Union Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 and
Special thank you to the staff of Juniper Village at Brookline in State College, PA for their outstanding care and loving support during Lou’s transitional life experience.
Friends will be received from 10-11a.m., Monday, April 6, 2026 at Temple Beth Israel, 3004 Union Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 with a service following at 11 a.m. with Rabbi Audrey Korotkin officiating.
Interment will follow at Mt. Sinai Cemetery, Altoona.
Arrangements are by E. Merrill Smith Funeral Home, Inc.
Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.
