By Roberta Cuffin
This week we join the entire automotive industry in mourning the loss of Ira Silver, managing partner at accounting firm MBAF.
Having been in public accounting since 1982, I have no doubt that Ira has made a great number of friends and acquaintances. I consider myself one of them.
Ira Silver at ABSR booth during NADA 2015
From the beginning, Ira had been a great supporter of Automotive Buy Sell Report. Not only did he contribute articles often, he appeared at our first booth in San Francisco. Despite his busy schedule he took an extra hour to give pointers on how we could increase our footprint in the buy sell industry.
His offer of assistance and insight was not unusual to anyone who knew him. Ira was always willing to help others and he seemed to genuinely enjoy meeting people.
Many others knew Ira better and I am sure they could talk more about his job proficiency, but I wanted to add a personal message.
The last time we were together was in Florida and after a couple of days he was anxious to return home to his wife (and dog). He spoke of how proud he was of his son David, now senior manager of the New York office. He was happy that he was working on the automotive side of the business.
Roberta with contributors Ira Silver, Rick White, Teresa Szemansco, Linda Barnette and Joan Kaye.
Ira also loved his job. He was concerned by the number of people stealing from their employers without their knowledge. Cyber security was at the front of his mind at that time, which was a topic of discussion during our meetings. Ira was planning a future article for us to address this.
I have personally had a number of deaths in the past two months, including my own stepson. At a funeral this past weekend the pastor asked the following question:
“Will you leave a memory or will you leave a legacy?” I think Ira did the latter.
We would like to invite all of you who have known Ira to join us in this tribute. Please add a comment or special memory below of how he made a difference in your life or business.
11 Comments
Richard White
Ira was a wonderful generous man who sincerely cared about those around him. He was fun to be with and made me feel like we had been friends for decades. All are in my prayers.
Rick
Paul Charles
Ira was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back. We met as members of the Auto Dealer CPA’s, a group of 25 automotive CPA firms from all over the US. His kindness, generosity and sense of humor will be greatly missed.
Leonard Bellavia
Ira was an exceptionally talented accountant who knew the automotive business as good as anyone. I would often call him to get his perspective. At conferences and meetings I would seek him out to sit with as he was genuinely enjoyable to be around with his upbeat personality. I will miss him and my thoughts are with his family.
– Len
Linda Barnette
Ira’s giving spirit, unstoppable smile, love of family and friends are just part of the legacy he leaves. He genuinely cared for his clients and always had a kind word. I will never forget his generosity. I invited him to speak at one of my roundtables and he left a lasting impression on us all. At his memorial service, there was standing room only, and all these sentiments were echoed by those who paid tribute to a man who will not be forgotten, but remembered for a life well lived. His family who he spoke about every time we were together stood strong, proud, composed, and shared his sense of humor. Ira will be missed but his family will be here to carry on all he started. God Bless.
AJ Hiers
He was a real professional and a credit to his and our business. Ira was a real gentleman and will be greatly missed.
Kevin Nill
I was fortunate to spend some quality time with Ira over coffee at NADA just a few weeks before his passing. Our conversations were always a mixture of fun stories about the business and hearing about family and friends. Ira was a true ambassador for his clients and loved life. He will be truly missed and will always be in our thoughts.
Patrick Pruett
Ira was a friend and supporter to just about anyone he came in contact with and as others have stated, he was generous with his time when he didn’t have to be. He showed by example what relationship was all about and he knew that the more he gave the more he would receive in return. Everyone who is part of the Auto Dealer CPAs group will miss him very much and I personally will miss our side conversations when Ira would provide some advice and words of wisdom when he knew things at that moment were difficult. In these ways Ira has left a legacy beyond which most people do and very fond memories that I will always cherish.
Gibson Steven
My first meeting with IRA was at a CFADA annual Golf Event. I had the pleasure of sharing the cart and sitting next to Ira for 5 hours. Golf has a way of providing insight into a person’s personality. Ira had a passion for Golf and a true passion for Life. We became fast friends. A very busy man who always ”found the time” to answer a call or return a note. Generous, sincere, genuine, and the consummate professional. He will be missed.
Robert Bass
Ira was a friend (Go Noles!) and industry colleague. He was one of the good guys. I always found him to be a valuable asset/resource on deals that he and I worked on over the last 15+ years. I’ll miss his smile and his enthusiasm. May God Bless him and the Silver family.
Anthony Minicozzi
I was one of Ira’s Sunday golfing buddies. I shared a cart with Ira the faithful day Ira had his stroke. We had a lot of laughs and enjoyed each others company. His self deprecating humor and approachability made him easy to be around. He and I shared the same “sickness” we believed that the newest golf club out would certainly improve our ailing golf game. We often compared our newest acquisitions. I will miss his passion for life and the game we loved to hate. Rest in peace Ira.
Scott Sawyer
I only knew Ira for the past two years. I can honestly say he was one of the easiest going and jovial guys I’ve known. He is truly missed and will always be remembered.