Harvey Silverman

Harvey Jay Silverman, 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by his immediate family on May 23, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

Born on February 5, 1948, in Brooklyn, NY, Harvey was the son of Joseph and Lillianne Silverman. Though born in Brooklyn, he was raised in Levittown on Long Island and graduated from Division Avenue High School in 1965. He went on to attend SUNY New Paltz, where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in elementary childhood education and a master’s degree in elementary education.

On February 27, 1968, Harvey married the love of his life, Jean Brennan. Together they shared 57 years of marriage and built a beautiful life in the Hudson Valley. Harvey and Jean enjoyed exploring the world together and traveled to places like Hawaii, Paris, Egypt, Costa Rica and the Caribbean Islands.

Harvey was a beloved elementary school teacher in the City of Poughkeepsie School District for 33 years, teaching at S.F.B. Morse and W.W. Smith elementary schools. He wasn’t your typical by-the-book teacher—he was the kind who built an 8-foot-tall dinosaur in the middle of his classroom. He took his students on walking field trips to the Hudson River and the Bardavon, and he cooked with them every Friday, using those moments to teach teamwork, measurements, and how to follow directions.

For nearly 60 years, Harvey was passionately devoted to playing a baseball simulation game called APBA. He played faithfully two days a week, kept meticulous stats (originally all by hand), and was such a formidable opponent that his fellow players—Fred, Roland, and his son Adam—joked that he must be cheating. His teams were consistently dominant.

Harvey was also a dedicated community member. He served as a past president of the Jaycees and volunteered at Downstate Correctional Facility.

He had a lifelong love for animals—from the guinea pigs and gerbils he kept in his classroom to the cats and dogs he cherished at home, especially his current dog, Cozette.

Harvey is survived by his wife Jean; his children Dawn Simone (Robert) and Adam; his grandchildren Zachary, Trevor, Alana, and Addison; his great-grandchild Jessie; his brother Eric and sister Debbie. He was predeceased by his parents Joe and Lil, and his brother Jeff.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor, kindness, loyalty, and his deep love for family, friends, and students. He made every person he met feel like they mattered—because to him, they did.

A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 7, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at William G. Miller Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the physicians and staff of Vassar Brothers Medical Center for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dutchess County SPCA or a charity of your choice.