David VanBenschoten Silvernail
(1930 - 2017)
David VanBenschoten Silvernail was born August 27, 1930 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and died March 13, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. David was a faithful servant of God, who loved his family and his neighbors. He was married to his wife, Ann Miller Silvernail, for almost 65 years, whom he loved with all his heart. He is survived by his wife, Ann, his brothers, Dr. William I. Silvernail, Jr. (Joyce), and Robert G. Silvernail; his children, Laura
Lee Kinard (Charles) and the Reverend Dr. David V. Silvernail, Jr. (Joanne), along with their grandchildren; Ian, Joshua (Melissa), David III (Rachel), Rebecca Karos (John), Sarah Surface (Andy), Daniel and Samuel, and great-grandchildren, Mariah, Maleah, Nathaniel, Caleb, Benjamin, Tobias, George, James, Emma, and Paul. David attended Scotia High School, in Scotia, New York, where he was a star athlete and president of his senior class. He also served one year as the King of the Kermis in Schenectady, NY. He graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in business. At Syracuse, he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, played varsity tennis, and it was there he met his beloved wife. He began his career as a retail buyer for Allied Corporation, and served many years as a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. In the mid-1960's, he changed careers and became a school teacher. He taught 6th grade in Franklin Lakes, NJ for six years and coached girls' basketball, winning the New Jersey Jr. High State Championship with an undefeated team in 1971. In 1972, he taught one year at the American International School of the Hague, Netherlands. Upon his
return to the US, he taught many more years in Wellesley, Massachusetts. After his retirement from teaching, he returned to retail and worked at Goodyear Tire in Massachusetts and later owned Daytona Tire in Florida. David was also known as Ranger, when he served for five years as the Director of Eagles Nest Camp in Delaware, New Jersey and the Starmaker, as he would make
German Stars for family and friends, and would give them away to strangers as an extension of God's love. Throughout his life he served as a Layreader and Chalice Bearer for several Episcopal churches, always ready to serve God and his church. The last church he attended was Christ Church, Anglican, 9917 103rd St., Jacksonville, FL 32210, where his funeral will be held Monday, March 20th at 11:00 a.m. with Internment to follow nearby at Riverside Memorial
Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. David was also a Mason, and served as Master of the United Brethren Lodge in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and was a member of Woodstock
Park Lodge in Jacksonville, Florida. A Masonic memorial will be given during the wake,
Sunday evening from 5-7, at Hardage-Giddens Town and Country Funeral Home, Memorial
Park , 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. He was loved in life, left a legacy of love, and touched the hearts of many. As he takes his place in heaven, beside our Lord and Savior, he will be known as a good and faithful servant.