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Joshua Silver Obituary

Silver Joshua On September 5, 2024, after struggling with a neurodegenerative condition. Beloved brother of Paul Silver (Pittsburgh, PA) and Daniel Silver (Broomfield, CO), son of Dorothy and Reuben Silver (Cleveland ,OH). Josh worked in Philadelphia as a Tour Guide of historical sights, and was affiliated with numerous organizations promoting history and tours throughout the city. He received a graduate degree in Historic Preservation from Penn and shared an equal love for his native city of Cleveland and his adopted city of Philadelphia. Donations in his memory may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or charities/organizations of your choice. May his memory be a blessing.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Philadelphia Inquirer on Sep. 22, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Joshua Silver

54 Entries

Ann iannarelli

September 11, 2025

I remember Josh´s beautiful smile and his kindness! I think about him often. Ann Iannarelli

Maxine Casey Richmond

May 27, 2025

My condolences to the Silver family.
Josh and I never met face to face but shared many emails of our common interest in the historic Sideaway Bridge in Cleveland. He was excited to hear that I had a connection with both of his parents through my association with Karamu House. I will always recall our conversations that were filled with knowledge, enthusiasm and passion.

L. Berger

March 25, 2025

I met Josh at UPENN in HSPV Program. I will miss him.

Sandy Perpignani

January 28, 2025

I met Josh on the Great Peace March in '86, and loved getting to know him better at reunions. I always thought I would catch up with him in PA someday. I will miss him at the next reunion. Thank you, Josh, for spirited conversation and great hugs .

David Heller

Planted Trees

Ivin Williams

October 28, 2024

I first met Josh Silver at a laundry mat on S 10th street just above Pine in Center City Philly sometime in 2006 or 07 - I forget what initiated a conversation between us but it soon turned towards the Pine Street business corridor and downtowns in general - The rest is History as they say - My part of the conversations with him always leaned towards Urban Planning but that never bothered him because he was so dag knowledgeable in so many related areas - In early 2009 knowing my Navajo background, he asked me if I would be interested in giving a talk on the Navajo Long Walk to a class that he was teaching at the Community College of Philly - I found his request unsual because I knew that he was not teaching a course on Native American History or even one on the history of the Western United States - He said that he basically wanted to shake things up little bit and add a different perspective on the history of this country - I gave a good 30 minutes slide presentation even though I wasn´t sure if all the students in his class had even heard of Navajos prior to my presentation - But that was Josh - I never once found him to stay inside the box - When a friend of mine a couple of years back decided she would like be a tour guide, I knew that I must Absolutely introduce her to Josh so that she could not only pick his brain but so she could exponentially increase her historical knowledge of this area - Josh was definitely one of the most knowledge people who I have ever met - He will be missed

Judith and Bruce Frumker

October 28, 2024

His smile was so bright and winning. His curiosities and questions innumerable. Josh brightened our world when we'd see him in the house on Berkshire. We cherish our memories of wonderful times walking and sometimes driving back and forth between Lincoln and Berkshire, and later. We miss that. Thank you for the "so Josh" memorial yesterday. We loved being there remotely and send our love your way.

Leslie Green

October 28, 2024

Dear Josh was deeply caring, generous, knowledgeable and kind! He advocated for the causes he believed in with fierce sincerity. He shared his opinions and insights freely, generously and also so respectfully. Josh was so enthusiastic about continuously learning and about sharing his knowledge, talents and perspectives.

I miss Josh and I regret the fact that I will not be able to share laughs, good times or conversations in the future with the friend I met while volunteering to make a difference in the outcome of the last critical (2020) US election. Daniel and Paul, I am so sorry for your loss and grateful for the wonderful tribute ceremony of remembrance that you prepared and shared with so many of us who were touched by your wonderful, amazing brother´s life! I pray for peace and comfort to surround you and your family now and in times ahead.

Craig Dorn

October 25, 2024

I have known Josh since 1969 so needless to say so many memories and stories. My life was better because of my long-time friendship with Josh. As others have said, there was nobody more genuine, honest and sincere that I have ever known. I want to call out how Josh shared so much of his childhood cultural journey with me whether dragging me to the Cleveland Museum of Art, taking me to plays at Karamu House, teaching me about Baltimore and Vermont or introducing me to great old films. In later years Josh was so kind and generous with his interactions with my children and always focused our conversations on how they were doing. I really appreciated how much he cared about them. 55 years is a long time and I could write 55 pages. I will end with a reflection on how sad and shocked I still am. Can't believe no more chats with my buddy.

Claire Scott

October 24, 2024

I did not know Josh well. We met last year when a friend introduced us. I too am a tour guide and Josh shared with me some great stories and historical insights. We always ment to meet up for coffee or lunch when I was taking art classes in south Philly. Some how we never managed to connect and I always thought there would be another day.
I am feel for Josh's friends and family knowing that your heart knows there is an absent place that use to be filled with Josh's excitement and joy for life.

Gary E. Mehr

October 22, 2024

Such sad news. Josh so much enjoyed sharing his love of history with others. His encyclopedic knowledge of Revolutionary War era Philadelphia was truly amazing. Josh was a wonderful man and did his best to leave the world a better place. Who could ask for more than that?

Richard Gibson, Pastor

October 21, 2024

I had the pleasure to know Josh as an historian. I am a Pastor for a local congregation in Cleveland, Ohio, known as Elizabeth Baptist Church. Josh enthusiastically researched and interviewed congregants to create an invaluable blog. I also had the privilege of receiving a tour of Philadelphia conducted by Josh for family and close friends. The tour was wonderfully informative. Our hope was to have a another visit with Josh this year. Josh would visit Cleveland a few times a year, and the time with him was always delightful and instructive. I am very grateful for the time with Josh, and he has been a tremendous asset for many. Blessings to the Silver family.

Daria Petraglia

October 20, 2024

Wanted to add this picture of Josh and me.... I will miss him a lot. With condolences, Daria Petraglia

Daria Petraglia

October 19, 2024

Josh was an amazing person. He had an amazing positive spirit and light. I met him over 15 years ago at the laundromat on 10th Street. He taught me so many things about the city and there was always something interesting to talk about. Every time we were together would run into someone he knew. Josh could talk to anyone from the construction worker to a US senator. He would tell me all about the area where I lived and anywhere that I traveled ... he had such a huge amazing brain!! His time was much too short. I will truly miss him.

Rick Heimann

October 15, 2024

I'm really sorry that I won't be able to attend either of the memorials for Josh here in Philly. When I started showing up at tour guide meetings a few years ago, Josh was one of the first long time members who really made an effort to make me feel welcome. He had such a generous spirit. I then had the pleasure to work with him for a few years, always being amazed by his depth of knowledge and his joy in sharing it. He's gone too soon, but will be remembered fondly.

Adam Schneider

October 15, 2024

Josh and I were classmates in Historic Preservation at the University of Pennsylvania, class of 1990. Josh had profound love and affection for his adopted city of Philadelphia. I feel privileged to have been there by his side, learning together, at the dawning of his falling in love with the City of Brotherly Love. Josh was undoubtedly the most enthusiastic of students, furiously scrawling his lecture notes in his notebook. His enthusiasm for learning was contagious. His excitement seemed to grow with each passing class. I am a native Philadelphian, and have a preservationist´s eye for buildings. But it didn´t take long for Josh to surpass me and just about everybody else with his encyclopedic knowledge of every important building in the City.

Josh was one of the most genuine and sincere people I have come to know. Never one for pretense or ego, he was always true to himself. He would bring the same level of spirit and intensity to a discussion of a geat Frank Furness building or where to get lunch (and there would be as many parenthetical sidebars)! May his memory be a blessing.

David Miller

October 12, 2024

Oy. I was shocked to hear of Josh´s death, and of course saddened. A good man gone.

We´ve been friends for about 20 years, a friendship that began as co-workers at Community College. As other adjunct teachers he was surely too dedicated. As we all know, Josh was always all-in, diligently, obsessively, beautifully "in the weeds", pursuing all perspectives of whatever he pursued to the utmost. My friend was remarkably sincere and direct, despite all those loquacious qualifications, parenthetical references, and extended footnotes. That unbridled verbiage, no not unbridled, always careful and caring, rather enthusiastic verbiage, was exactly an aspect of his vital sincerity.

He was quirky as most of my friends, wonderfully so, and not compromising himself, not falsifying himself at all. He was able to talk with anybody, truly interested in a wide diversity of his brothers and sisters,and of their experiences and views. A true humanist,not the least bit patronizing, assuredly honest and authentic people knew to trust him.

I am a Philly boy, born and bred, but certainly Josh knew the city much better than I. When I´d call him from some random street corner, in my travels between here and there, he´d tell me what buildings were at the four corners, and probably go on to talk of what was there one hundred years before.

We would joke a good bit, both of us given to inspired (assumed) rambling, Josh´s more directed than my own meandering mind. And though we´d easily succumb to innumerable facts and associations we would then talk of more serious matters, Josh being the one to bring it all back home, to the family he loved.

I will miss you Josh. Today I will think of you at Yizkor services.

Wishing your family well in this new year.

Joe Garry

October 4, 2024

Josh was greatly loved by his family and friends. His parents established a vital theater empire in Cleveland, Ohio. They were Giants in the theater and in life... Their influence significantly impacted their three incredible sons. Josh was pure silver.
Love and respect, Joe Garry

Bonnie and Mark Cochard

October 1, 2024

We would very much like to donate in Josh's memory to the Lewy Body Dementia Assoc. Thank you for the suggestion. We knew him through the Philly Guides. He always had a big smile and was very enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge of the city and spending time with those who shared his passion. His spirit lives on in all those whose lives he touched.

Richard DiLullo

October 1, 2024

I am so sorry that Josh is no longer with us, but I am glad that he once was and that I got to know him. If knowledge has value, he had a wallet filled to the brim; but sharing that knowledge with others is priceless. I once mentioned that I would be visiting Cleveland for the first time and did he have any recommendations. Within days, he presented me with a number of books on Cleveland history, architecture and eateries. In the best tradition of tour guiding, he helped me love the subject. His light has left us but it shines bright in our memories.

Maria (Margaret) Shine-Stewart

September 30, 2024

Heartfelt sympathy, Paul and Daniel, on the loss of your beloved brother Joshua. I was shocked to read of his passing. I recall seeing him (at a young age) as a guard(Ian) at the Cleveland Museum of Art and thinking what a love of art he must have had, and what a steady, kind presence in the midst of the flow of visitors. It sounds like his life's work was bridging past and present and he walked, as we should all attempt, for peace. May you find comfort and strength at this very difficult time.

Richard Keiser

September 26, 2024

I met Josh through St. Mary's Church, Hamilton Village, and I saw him and Helen Faith as the cast in "Love Letters". Also, on Amateur Night there I accompanied him on the piano when he sang an original composition. Later our paths crossed again at the Community College of Philadelphia, where we both taught history--yet another intersection of our lives. He also put his history talent to work as a tour guide, a vocation which he loved. Josh was gentle and kind, always gracious. News of his death came as a shock since he was quite a bit younger than I.

Laurie Seniuk

September 26, 2024

I first met Josh 30 or more years ago when he was conducting ghost tours in Washington Square.
I would see him with his long cape and lantern at night and we would say hello. I think this was before the lights were installed, so he really was a dashing figure. I would see him around the neighborhood sometimes, but it wasn´t until years later that we began to talk. I remember he asked me "Do you believe in ghosts?" Ghosts no, but I do believe in spirit.

We shared a love of Philadelphia and an interest in architecture. He was a fountain of knowledge and there was always a lively exchange. We began taking excursions into the surrounding areas. We visited the Navy Yard, Northeast Philadelphia, West Chester, and the West Philadelphia murals. One thing I laughed at is that when walking down the street he would often be walking backward in front of me. That was from his years as a tour guide.

He loved language, especially puns, and switched effortlessly from humor to a more serious delivery.
HIs stories were endless, more than a few times I had to urge him to cut to the chase.
He was kind, considerate, and genuinely interested in other people.
I will miss him. May his spirit live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
Bye Josh.

Laurie M. Ross

September 26, 2024

Dear Paul and Dan,
It's difficult to fathom losing Reuben, Dorothy, and now Josh in one short decade. Josh was deep waters, fully engaged in the world, and so kind. And that smile. I mourn with you and everyone whose life he touched. May his memory be a blessing, his lifelong passions a thing to behold.
Much love, Laurie

Cornell Hubert Calhoun III

September 26, 2024

Dan and Paul -- I was shocked and saddened to hear of Josh's passing. I had not received any congratulatory emails from him in a while. I met Josh just through your parents who, as you know, I loved dearly. I still include them on my Bio and playbills. Much love and prayers. C. H. Calhoun III

Todd Sharp

September 26, 2024

Dear Paul and Dan,
Well it has been a few years. My deepest condolences to you and your families and all of Joshuas friends and loved ones. We youngsters on Berkshire Road grew up in a special time and in a wonderful community. The Silver family entirely were such a positive and nurturing force and a strong anchor of that community. Thanks to all of you - Dorothy, Ruben, Paul, Danny and Josh - we are all better angels for having known you all. May Joshua rest gently and in peace.

Oliver Bradley

September 26, 2024

We're so saddened to read news of Josh's passing, so soon after the passing of Dorothy, his mother.

Wishing Joshua's family and loved-ones strength in these days and months of mourning.

May Joshua's memory be a blessing and may this time of mourning often give way to joyful recollections.

Michaela, Lea, Oliver
BRADLEY

Rich Sickler

September 23, 2024

I met Josh on The Great Peace March in 1986 LA-DC.
A great person.

Marianne Ruane, APT President

September 23, 2024

At the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT), Josh's incredible knowledge, generosity, and friendliness will greatly be missed. He could always be counted on to volunteer for APT initiatives including the Symposium in 2022 and outreach to City Council members last spring. He led tours for APT members - a mural arts tour and one at Strawberry Mansion. He guided a segment at all of the Great 'River to River, Vine to Pine' Tours. (And that is just a tiny sliver of all he did). He was a mentor and inspiration to many, including me. APT, all of the tour companies he worked for, and Philadelphia itself are all so much better off because Josh was in the world. Much love and light to you both, Dan and Paul. <3

The photo is comprised of screenshots from a Zoom class I led 'meditation for tour guides' in 2022 that Josh participated in. I think they sum up his best qualities!

Betsy Adams

September 23, 2024

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have wonderful memories of your family from our orchestra days at Heights High. You were all such a talented and original bunch. All the best. My thoughts are with you.

Julie Curson

September 23, 2024

Josh...You are certainly missed among your fellow guides at Mural Arts Philadelphia. Your smile, your sense of humor, your knowledge, your enthusiasm will all be remembered fondly. Rest in peace.

Ann iannarelli

September 22, 2024

I met Joshua in 1972 at the Cleveland Museum of Art and I am so grateful for the joy and love he brought to my life! He was the most remarkable child. I remember him coming to the museum and he would study a painting in the library at the CMA and then go to the curators and tell them the mistakes they made on the labels for their painting.
He did this out of concern not trying to act like he knew better. He would have lunch with me and share his experiences.
I am 80 years old now and I will miss his visiting and calling on holidays and when he would visit Cleveland. I really cherished our time together and I know he felt the same. I sent him a text about a week ago and did not get a response , this was very unusual. His friend from high school Jim
Called today and told me about our loss! Some light has left the would. I send my love to his family. Please let me know if you have a service.

Amy Fitzpatrick

September 22, 2024

I found Josh to be witty, highly intelligent with a smile that lit up the room. Our paths crossed a few times. We shared political views and attended Stacey Abrams book signing 'Lead From the Outside". I am sorry we did not get to know each other better. My condolences to his family and loved ones. Josh was one of a kind and will be long remembered.

Daniel Silver

September 22, 2024

DEAR Friends and Family of Josh! Dan Silver here again. Please feel free to email me at : [email protected] if you want to be updated on a memorial service we are planning. Thank you all for your wonderful stories, photos, and heartfelt expressions! Dan (and Paul) Silver

Helen Faith

September 22, 2024

I sorrow to have heard of Josh's passing. He and I met through a mutual friend at St. Mary's Church, Hamilton Village, on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. We dated for almost a year, and I loved getting to know him much better, especially his wild and intelligent sense of humor and his caring, generous, ebullient spirit.

I shared the stage with him in the two-person play "Love Letters" and later we both traveled to Cincinnati to see his parents in the same play. He came to visit me here in Boise a few years ago, and he took some time to go to our Black History Museum and write up that experience, along with further research, for his blog.

I'm grateful we remained friends over the years. I will miss him forever.

Biz Mooney

September 21, 2024

Josh was a neighbor on Berkshire and a 6th grade classmate at Coventry.
He thought at a higher level than most 12 year old children. He was quiet- but quirky and funny. I recall that we had a in-class project to create a mask of an ape from "Planet of the Apes". Josh´s was incredibly detailed. While most of us just threw the plaster of Paris at the balloon and let the mask form "organically " Josh carefully placed each section of the mask on with care. The resulting mask was of a professional quality.
Someone wrote on here that there are people in your life that you will never forget. I´m not sure Josh would have ever remembered me, but I certainly will always remember him. Rest in peace, Josh. ~ Biz Mooney

Brianna

September 21, 2024

I met Josh at the Constitution Center when he would be tour groups in. We became friends after that. He was always such a delight whenever he came in and clearly enjoyed his work. He made everyone´s experience memorable. The more I got to know him I realized how genuine and kind he was. He always took the time to listen and showed in some of the work I was doing. He was never without a smile which always made the day more enjoyable. He knew how to make you laugh and feel important. He will truly be missed.

Tom Swalec

September 21, 2024

My sincere condolences. Josh was a bright light! I´m sorry for your loss. I´m a better person for knowing him.
Tom- GPM86

James Knight

September 21, 2024

I walked across the country with Josh in 1986 on the Great Peace March. I'll always remember him at the front of the column, tireless, carrying a huge flag. And that smile. Unforgettable.
Here he is at the 10 year march reunion.

Jonnie Dale Lieberman

September 21, 2024

Ken Myers, yes, perfectly stated, serious and whimsical, a wonderful combination of being.

Shirley P

September 21, 2024

I am sorry to hear about Josh's passing. He was a wonderful person with a bright smile and lively personality. I worked with him for many years and appreciated his vast knowledge of history and the world!

james kietzman

September 21, 2024

Your heart soon will be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. he was a frequent social group member at parties given by good freinds several times a year an always had a grin on his face and a quick sense of humor.

Ken Myers

September 21, 2024

Dan and Paul,

I am so sorry to hear about Josh. I have fond memories of him (and your entire wonderful family) from our childhood, and I remember talking with him when he would visit your parents when we lived across the street on Berkshire Road. He was so curious about the world around him, both serious and whimsical at the same time. May his memory be a blessing.

Kenny Myers

Jonnie Dale Lieberman

September 19, 2024

Josh z'l was part of our more intimate group on the Great Peace March, 1986, this meant we'd see one another more often than when the entire clan got together, we were like living in the same dormitory if we had dorms or cabins or any kind of indoor space. We lived outdoors, pitched tents to sleep at night. Before cell phones, somehow we found one another, would sit near each other eating our meals or at an all camp meeting. There was a small group of us who were family, we knew we could rely on one another. Josh was chameleon like in that he had the skills to be with you if you were sad, laugh, be happy with you if you were feeling good. He knew how to check-in, be present, like there was not anything else going on in the world besides the one on one at that very given moment. He must've had some kind of very devout practice to be that Buddha-like, that Be Here Now like.

It is good to hear Carla's stories of Josh being dropped off at the museum each day as a young teen. This is who he always was, fascinated, in awe, captivated. We must've been the most enigmatic and bizarre live museum ever.

And to hear Josh's brother Dan tell of Josh for sure wanting to read these notes.

You were quite the teacher Josh, your excitement and enthusiasm for what was, as if tranced by everything that was in each given moment.

With so much Love, so grateful we walked together, celebrated together, were friends.

You will be remembered dearly with a light heart and a skip in our walk.

Carla Rautenberg

September 19, 2024

No one who knew Josh will ever forget him. As a long-time friend of the family and neighbor, I remember the days when he was a boy or young teen; his mother Dorothy would drop him off at the Cleveland Museum of Art on a Saturday morning and pick him up at the end of the day. At the time, I'll bet he knew that collection better than anyone else who didn't work there, and maybe better than some who did! It was always a joy to share a meal with Josh. As skinny as he was, he packed away food with gusto, and lots of interesting stories. Because I recall his going on the Great Peace March for Nuclear Disarmament in 1986, I sent a donation to Cleveland Peace Action in memory of Josh.

Roger Solberg

September 19, 2024

Josh was one of my good friends on the Great Peace March in 1986, a very smart guy but also very unassuming and super-friendly. The photo is from when I last saw him: November 2018. By the sheerest coincidence, we found ourselves on the same flight from Cleveland to Atlanta. You had a positive impact on many lives, Josh. Rest in Peace.

Janet Corster

September 19, 2024

Great Peace Marcher!!!! Thank you Josh! Thank you for walking and working for peace!!!

Cheryl Starbuck

September 19, 2024

I walked with Josh in 1986. He was always smiling, friendly and positive! RIP

Daniel Silver

September 19, 2024

Dear Josh. It's your brother Dan here and I wish you could still be here! Words do not come up to the level of what I feel without you in my life. You have lit me up for all the years of your life, and I will treasure the love and times we shared. Amazingly, people have found this guest book (which I assumed would be open once the newspaper published our memoriam notice to you on September 21st this Sunday) ahead of time so to say! It's heartening to read comments or see the notices here. We will try to be in touch with all about another kind of memorial we are planning. It's almost the kind of joke Josh would not miss: Paul and I craft a new notice for a specific day that we know you would want to have a record of, and it takes on a "life" of its own ahead of time. To all Josh's friends and family : MORE to come and we send you our LOVE always. May Josh's memory be a blessing. Dan Silver

Cathy Albers

September 19, 2024

Josh had a fun and deliberative nature with a wonderful curiosity about the world. He will be truly missed

Kate Koschoreck

September 18, 2024

I, too, walked with Josh on The Great Peace March. I remember Josh as a kind, gentle, funny young man with the biggest smile ever. Thanks, Josh, for walking with us. Sending much love to your family.

Marek Parker

September 18, 2024

Marek Parker

September 18, 2024

Marek Parker

September 18, 2024

I'm 1986 Josh began a 9 month journey with about 500 of us it changed all of our lives. It was the Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament . In 2019, Josh and his family visited Buffalo and i had the wonderful opportunity to play your guide to him. You will be missed Josh. Much love to you and your family.

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