Tom Silver - Rest In Peace

- April 14, 2009

Tom at Targa Newfoundland in the "Silver Bullet."

RIP..........Tom Silver of Minneapolis, MN, passed away on April 8, 2009. Tom was known in these circles for his vintage auto racing at La Carrera Panamericana, Chihuahua Express, Targa Newfoundland, and others. In 2008 Tom won 1st place in Historic C at the Chihuahua Express.

Tom's synagogue held a beautiful ceremony on April 12 that included a procession of race cars: Tom's Legend car, his white Falcon, and a '66 Fastback that won the 2008 LCP Historic C class (as a stand-in for Tom's "Silver Bullet" Fastback that took an offroad excursion at Chihuahua in 2007).

Blessings go out from the entire LCP family to Tom's family and friends.

Tom's obituary and online guest book:

Thomas C. Silver, age 67, ended his persistent, ferocious, and dignified battle with cancer on April 8.

A lifelong resident of Minneapolis, Tom was a renaissance man, skilled in multiple areas and with a broad base of knowledge, always surprising others with his expertise in big pictures and miniscule details. Tom found meaning and passion in work, automotive racing, artistic endeavors, and community involvement. Tom served as owner and executive of Mail Handling Incorporated, Liberty Envelope, Bindery Express, and Direct Marketing Group. He worked with integrity, creativity, and gusto until even his last week of life. Tom had a lifelong interest in anything motorized, and that passion manifested itself in everything from redesigning equipment at work, to restoring vintage automobiles. He was passionate about long-course auto racing, and skilled and lucky enough to have won many awards, through Canada (Targa, Newfoundland) and Mexico (La Carrera Panamericana), as well as locally in his Legend car. In the last year of his life, on a weekend with no chemotherapy, he competed in his last La Chihuahua Express race, racing 1200 miles in three days, and he took home the first place trophy.

Tom took joy in art and design to a gamut of outlets, from creating silver ritual art pieces to architecture and furniture design. There was no area of creativity at which he could not be successful.

Tom was an active member of Bet Shalom Congregation, which fostered his spirit, allowed him to participate in fulfilling many good deeds, and gave him an outlet for leadership skills. He was a board member for many years, after which he served as president of the congregation. Tom coordinated the construction of the congregation's new building and was instrumental in its design. As importantly, he excelled at building relationships with people. To honor Tom's multi-faceted building skills, the honor of congregational Boneh (builder) was recently bestowed upon him. Additionally, Tom was on the boards of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, and Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Above all else, Tom cherished his family, he was a devoted son, a loving husband, an adoring father, and a close-knit brother.

Preceded in death by parents, Dr. John and Grace Silver. Survived by wife, Anita (Lurye); children, Scott David, Sarah Lynn, Alyson Jenna, and Andrea Jean; siblings, Nancy (Charles) Reich, Sally Silver, Daniel (Myndal), and Rita (Russ) Sandstrom; mother-in-law, Millicent Lurye Weinberg; special aunt and uncle, Pat and Jack Galusha; many caring nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

Many thanks to the skilled, caring, and compassionate health-care professionals who fought side-by-side with Tom to quell his disease and extend his life: Dr. Cathleen Chen, Tanya, Karen and Micki, Park Nicollet Oncology and Infusion Therapy teams. Tom was fortunate to do what he loved, and to love what he did. As a tribute to Tom, his family has established the Tom Silver Nekudot Fund at Bet Shalom Congregation. Proceeds will be used to complete finishing touches around the Temple - the special gift that Tom always had.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 3 p.m. Sunday, in Bet Shalom Congregation, 13613 Orchard Rd., Minnetonka. Please direct memorials to the Tom Silver Nekudot Fund at Bet Shalom Congregation, or Park Nicolett Cancer Center, 3931 Louisiana Ave., St. Louis Park, MN 55426. Hodroff-Epstein 612-871-1234 http://www.hodroffepstein.com/

Tom in the "Silver Bullet."

Tom in Mexico at the 2001 LCP, smiling after cracking up his Chevy Delray.

Tom being interviewed at the 2008 Chihuahua Express.

Dave Fuss and Tom on the podium for the 2008 ChiX where they won 1st in Historic C.

Tom and Dave Fuss at the 2008 Chihuahua Express.

Tom and Dave's wild ride in the Silver Bullet at the 2007 Chihuahua Express.