MICHAEL SILVER

1960-2024
Michael Philip Silver (1960-2024) was a loving partner, a generous and devoted dad, a supportive brother, a caring son, an involved uncle, an extremely gregarious and generous friend, and a passionate defender of the environment. Mike was also a doting grandfather, or Saba as he liked to be called. Mike passed away suddenly on Monday November 4, in the morning. He loved life and was planning a trip to the Antarctic. He is predeceased by his mother Diane Silver and step mother Myrna Hurwich Silver. He is survived by his long-time partner Naomi, his ex-wife Sandy, his two children Alexandra and Jeremy, his brother Seth (Sue), his step siblings Linda (Marshall) and Michael (Natalya), his father Harvey, his nephews Daniel, Josh, Adam and Jonathan, and nieces Jackie, Sarah (Mitch), Lauren, Emily, and Stephanie, and his step-children, Lee Carlo (Ciara), Patrick, and Paulo (Kayla).


Mike was born in Toronto, spent four years of his childhood in Buffalo and the rest in Toronto, and then later the University of Western Ontario and Cambridge University. Mike was a lawyer who became a mediator, and was a pioneer of mediation in Ontario. He was incredibly successful for three decades at helping parties in deep conflict resolve differences and reach win-win settlements. In his work, Mike was brilliant at empathy, understanding issues, and facilitating solutions. But Mike's real passions were in travelling the world (he visited over 98 countries), spending time with friends and family at his cottage or on the water, and protecting the planet. Mike led the effort to create the Torrance Barrens Conservation Reserve and Dark Sky Preserve, and was a leader on committees overseeing their management and protection. He met with politicians, wrote letters, and advocated often on climate change. He was active on political issues and was Pierre Trudeau's earliest ally against the Notwithstanding Clause.


Mike was also an avid collector. Mike had a world class art collection, fossils and meteorites any museum would envy, antique furniture (some going back to the 1600s!) and rare Canadian coins. He loved his toys - and made them all available to anyone who wanted to try them. Mike was larger than life, had an adventurous spirit, and an endearingly goofy sense of humor. He loved hosting dinners, family events and holidays, gave generous gifts over the years to numerous friends and family, and exuberantly loved life and new experiences.


We are devastated by his passing, and with deep sorrow will miss his laugh, his passionate views on issues of the day, his jolly presence, and his generosity of spirit. Mike, we love you and are heartbroken.


Funeral services will be held November 7th at Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel. See www.benjaminsparkmemorialchapel.ca for details. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Muskoka Conservancy www.muskokaconservancy.org/donate.