Please join us to remember the special and unique qualities of Carl's life. Your Memories and Photos are greatly appreciated to share with us.

Our beloved son and brother, Carl Silverman took his own life on January 5, 2022 at age 25. His life was brief but dazzling.
Carl was born on November 20, 1996 in Portland Oregon, and was adopted at birth by his family, Gail Dobbs and Barry Silverman, and brother Jamie. He grew up in Toronto loved by his family, and his nanny Julia Hercules – with whom he developed a lifelong and loving relationship.
He had numerous passions, and only one speed – 100%. He excelled in any physical activity that required coordination, skill and grace. Our albums are filled with Carl’s exploits in Skateboarding, Unicycling, Climbing and Snowboarding. Those precocious childhood interests remained with him into adulthood and morphed into something truly meaningful for him.
Carl struggled with institutions and relationships that are mostly casual or anonymous; as he required deep and personal commitment. Many aspects of our world today are impersonal, and passionless and Carl had a hard time fitting in.
Yet numerous times in his life – he discovered special people and places that were as passionate and personal as he was. They transformed his life, and in turn, he transformed them.
The Dunblaine school, a loving place where every child is treated and taught individually, changed Carl’s trajectory from class misfit to shining star. One of his teachers, Renee Nerima, was instrumental in giving Carl the skills he needed to survive in our anonymous world.
Carl learned to skateboard very early in life, and he was fast, reckless and eye-popping. He discovered mentors at the Vanderhoof Skate Park – a group of adults who started at the same age that Carl did. They pursued their passion all through their lives and as Carl fit in perfectly, they were happy to share their skills, talents, and passion with him.
Years later, Carl discovered that he had an enormous but undisciplined talent for the visual arts but didn’t find a fit with standard educational programs.
Yet he discovered a mentor, Eric Knight, that was equally talented, and equally passionate about Art as Carl. Eric crafted out the sharp edges from Carl’s undisciplined talent, and polished them into something Carl could use for life. His current art work is jaw-dropping.
His physical skills led him to dancing. Again, the professional programs for dancing were not compatible with Carl’s style – but he joined an international virtual reality dancing group.
Yet again he discovered a mentor, JJFX, equally passionate about dancing, who introduced him to all the dancers, and gave him the skill and confidence to excel. It was a very personal experience for Carl.
Having been mentored successfully so many times in his life, Carl in turn became a mentor. He was always picking up stray people in skateboarding, art, or dancing. Carl replicated his personal experience with them by transforming them from awkward and friendless newcomers, into welcomed, loved, and appreciated collaborators.
The words big hearted, unselfish, skilled, friendly and supportive, have been repeated over and over by people who Carl mentored.
All of us who mentored him, or were mentored by him are broken-hearted today. We are missing someone who made a deep difference in our lives.

If you are considering a Donation in Carl's memory, please consider these charities who offer excellent services:

Eli's Place for mental health care
www.elisplace.org/

Dunblaine School for quality education for those who learn differently.
This school had a major positive impact in Carl's well being and education.
www.dunblaineschool.com/