Barry Silverman
Former ILWU Research Director Barry Silverman died on August 18, 2014, at the age of 74 due to complications from a brain seizure. His wife, Carolyn his two children, Joshua Silverman and Kerry Fiero were by his side.
Silverman was hired by former Inter-national President Harry Bridges in 1965 to serve as the ILWU’s Research Director. He continued in that position under International President Jim Herman, also serving as chief of staff. He provided sup-port for longshore and warehouse negotiating committees on the West Coast and in Hawaii, with a particular expertise on health and welfare and pension issues. He assisted in many arbitrations and wrote the grant that established the longshore safety program. During the 1970’s and early 80’s, he taught collective bargaining courses at San Francisco City College, and enjoyed passing his skills to students.
Silverman’s career at the ILWU was cut short in 1988 following a cerebral hemorrhage, but he remained active after retirement – serving as an outspoken member of the Alameda County Grand Jury in 1995-1996, and traveling and camping with his wife. He was an avid walker, and was known as the “mayor of the track” at the Rev. Martin Luther King Intermediate School in Berkeley.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Silver-man attended Fairfax High School, then joined the Army Reserve, and headed to Berkeley where he graduated UC and earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1965. He participated in the Free Speech Movement and stayed involved in political issues, participating in rallies and protests over three decades – spending a few days behind bars for his efforts. After graduating, he married Wende Shoemaker with whom he built a family and had two children, Joshua and Kerry. Later in life Silverman was re-married to Carolyn Corbelli, with whom he spent the last 26 years.
In addition to his love for politics and the union, Silverman was passion-ate about baseball, boxing, jazz, the out-doors, and horse racing. He sometimes joked that Harry Bridges – who was also passionate about horse racing – had hired Silverman more for his handicap-ping skills than expertise in labor relations. But above all he earned a solid reputation for his research and negotiating skills, and was admired for his straight-forward, direct and warm demeanor.
Silverman’s memorial was held on September 13, 2014 in Berkeley, attended by his family and friends, including many ILWU members and staff. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Corbelli, former wife Wende Shoemaker, brother Richard Silverman, son Joshua Silverman, daughter Kerry Fiero, son-in-law Gian Fiero and grandson Gianardo Fiero.