Granby Living June 2018 issue

FEATURE STORY
The Silverman Family
AFTER SOARING INTO TOWN, FAMILY
MAKES SMOOTH LANDING IN GRANBY
By Bruce Deckert | Photos by Amy Geigner
Larry and Melissa Silverman arrived in Granby by way of northern California,
southern New Jersey and central Florida.
Given their directional geographic history, no wonder they found a home in this
southern New England town in north-central Connecticut.
If you’re guessing the frequent flyer miles are connected to a military career, you’re
right — in fact, the military branch that specializes in flying.
“I grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, but have lived all over due to the Air Force,”
Larry says.
“We liked the location near
Bradley International Airport and
the school system. I enjoy the
quiet, small-town feel.”
— Larry Silverman
He retired as a major in the U.S. Air Force after serving for 23-plus years. Currently,
he’s a corporate pilot for MassMutual.
Meanwhile, Melissa has been a teacher for 18 years and serves as an English
language tutor in the Granby school system.
They met in 1999 in Arkansas, where Larry was stationed at Little Rock Air Force
Base.
“That was the town I grew up in,” Melissa says.
They married in August 2002 and moved to Travis Air Force Base in California for
four years. Their next stop was McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, followed by a
move to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Their next relocation was to Granby in June
2014 — this time, no Air Force Base was involved ... but aviation was still a factor.
“We liked the location near Bradley International Airport and the school system,”
says Larry, 46, who has a bachelor of science degree in professional aeronautics from
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “I enjoy the quiet, small-town feel.”
The Sivermans’ daughter, Leah, has likewise appreciated the quality of Granby’s
school system. A fifth-grader at Wells Road Intermediate School, Leah wants to be a
graphic artist when her student days are done.
“My school is really cool,” says the 11-year-old. “I like my teachers and friends. My
favorite subjects are reading and art.”
Leah’s Mom has clearly valued education too. Melissa, 44, holds two college degrees
— a bachelor of science in interior design, and another bachelor of science in family
and consumer science education, both from the University of Central Arkansas.
She is glad that her family’s journey has brought them to Granby.
“I love the small-town atmosphere, the friendliness of people and the mom-andpop
restaurants,” Melissa says.
She notes that, soon after moving to town, the closeness of the Granby community
took on a deeper meaning for her.
4 | JUNE 2018
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014,” Melissa explains, “three months after
we moved to Granby. It was unbelievable to see the support of the schools, our church
— Valley Brook Community Church — and those in the community who came to our
side.”