Obituary of Clarence F Silfer III

Clarence F. Silfer III, 83, a longtime resident of Holland Patent, passed away Monday, July 27, 2015 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. He was born July 7, 1932 in Syracuse, a son of the late Clarence F. and Irma (Wickert) Silfer. Clarence attended Syracuse University, receiving a scholarship-funded physics baccalaureate in 1954. He began his professional career as an electrical engineer with Rome Air Development Center (RADC) the same year. On July 20, 1957, he was united in marriage to Barbara J. Hart, a blessed union of love and friendship for 58 years. In his thirty-four year career with RADC, Clarence participated in numerous radar research and development projects and rose to Senior Engineer of the Signal Processing Division. Clarence retired from RADC in 1988. Displaying a life-long curiosity in the world around him, Clarence was a talented craftsman who enjoyed building wooden watercraft (Adirondack guide boats, canoes) and furniture. Clarence was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, hiking and camping with his family. Among his many other avocations, he also was an enthusiastic gardener and a passionate scholar. A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife, Barbara; four children, Jeffrey Silfer of Clinton, Andrew (Maureen) Silfer of Mechanicville, NY, Brian (Amy) Silfer of Cazenovia, NY and Susan (Jack) Forbes of Smithfield, VA; ten grandchildren, Matthew and Daniel Silfer, Nathan, Michelle, Kathleen and Elise Silfer, Jessy and Brian Silfer and Coleman and Cameron Forbes; and many nephews. Private services will be held for the family. Arrangements by Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service Inc., Clinton. Please consider donations to HealthFriends CNY, 1119 Elm St., Utica, NY 13501 or Central Assoc. for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Development Office, 507 Kent St., Utica, NY 13501