Sol Silberman | Shoe firm president, 87

Sol Silberman, 87, formerly of Blue Bell, a retired shoe company president and decorated World War II veteran, died of pancreatic cancer Sunday at Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton, Fla.

Mr. Silberman was born in Northern Liberties. His father died when Mr. Silberman was 3, and he was educated at Girard College, then a boarding school for fatherless boys. He attended City College of New York.

During World War II, he was a sergeant in the Army Quartermaster Corps in Europe. He landed on Normandy Beach the day after D-Day and ferried food and supplies to men on the front lines.

His jeep convoy was shelled, and his face was burned, his son Michael said. Mr. Silberman was awarded a Bronze Star.

After his discharge, Mr. Silberman managed the Latin Casino, a nightclub in Philadelphia, and booked acts including the young comic team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

In 1947, he married Renee Spector and joined her father's business, Dial Shoe Co. He eventually became president and expanded the company from nine to 50 stores. He also owned Balsimer Shoes, a small high-end chain. After selling Dial in the late 1970s, he operated Balsimer Shoes until he retired.

For the last 20 years, Mr. Silberman and his wife lived in Palm Beach County, Fla., where he was past president of his condo association and enjoyed golf.

In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by sons Edward, David, Robert and Kenneth and eight grandchildren.

The funeral was held yesterday at Joseph Levine & Son Funeral Home, Trevose. Burial was in Roosevelt Memorial Park, Trevose.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust St., Philadelphia 19103.