DR. MARVIN SAUL SILVER

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DR. MARVIN SAUL SILVER

Marvin Silver passed away on April 5, 2026 in Winnipeg at the age of 84.

He is survived by daughters, Susan (Masa) and Kathy (Neil); granddaughter Chloe; siblings, Arnold, Barry (Ethel), Brenda (Gabi), Moishe (Gillian); nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Abram and Kitty Silver. His funeral took place on April 13, 2026 in Winnipeg.

Marvin was a humble man. With his passing we are left to reflect on the person he was in life.

A scientist - Dr. Silver was a tenured, full professor at Laval University, Quebec City, where he played a central role in establishing its microbiology department. He later left academia to work for the federal Department of Mines and Resources in Ottawa. He returned to university life at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Dr. Silver completed his scientific career in his own private business, where he applied his expertise to creating wetlands to restore and remediate polluted bodies of water.

A volunteer - Marvin served his community throughout his life by volunteering as a firefighter, a crisis de-briefer, an environmental activist, a political representative and worker, and a pallbearer.

A friend - Marvin deeply valued the people in his life. He maintained cherished friendships from his earliest school days to his university years and beyond, keeping in touch no matter the time or distance.

A family man - Family was always at the heart of his life. He was the oldest of five children and took that role with quiet responsibility. When his father suffered a back injury and was unable to work for a period of time, Marvin stepped back from his education to carry on the family business. Later, while working on his Ph.D in Syracuse, he hosted his elderly grandparents. He started his own family while in Quebec City and strived to give his daughters everything he could. After retiring he returned to Winnipeg to help his elderly mother. In Winnipeg he renewed and deepened his relationships with his siblings, their families and his cousins.

A traveller - Marvin had a lifelong love of travel. He enjoyed travelling during his sabbatical year in England with his young family and continued exploring new places and visiting friends and family throughout his life. He took his mother to London, England to celebrate her cousin's 90th birthday. He joined Kathy and Neil in Greece for their wedding and also visited them in Scotland. At 70, Marvin journeyed to India with his cherished friend Harsha. He maintained annual rituals of visiting family and friends in British Columbia, Mexico and the United States. As recently as September 2025 he ventured east on a solo road trip to visit cousins and Kathy's family.

An unconventional character -Marvin didn't care for technology. He had a simple cell phone with a very basic plan, no computer, no Internet, no television. He used the computer at the library and listened to the radio at home. He had an amazing memory and remembered everything he read. His reading was diverse, from history to Taylor Swift's biography. He shopped at thrift stores and often presented family members with items he had found for them. He spoke to everyone he encountered, regardless of age or walk of life, and even if they didn't speak a common language. He didn't listen to music, but if he heard a song from the 50s, 60s or 70s he could tell you the name of the song and the singer.

For all he was in life, Marvin will be missed.

"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone." (Joni Mitchell Yellow Taxi)

The family wishes to thank those who travelled to Winnipeg to be with the family, those who attended the funeral, those who sent messages of love and memories, those who served as pallbearers and those who attended and contributed to the Shiva with food, flowers, participation and help.

Donations to honour Marvin's memory may be made to Agape Table or a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2026