Ben Shervin

Ben Shervin, 84, a local basketball legend in the Philadelphia Area playgrounds and gyms, died peacefully on June 3, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer.  Born and raised in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, attending Northeast High School.  He was son of the late Joseph and Esther (Waber) and brother to Sidney, Harold, Albert, Milton, Anita (Stein), Ruth (Maltz), Leonard, Marcel, Zena, and Edward.

Mr. Shervin served in the Army Air Force in the European Theater during World War II as a Radio operator on C-47 aircraft flying supply missions out of Naples, Italy, and honorably discharged in December 1945, surviving a plane crash during his time in the service.  Mr. Shervin felt that every day after that crash was a bonus. 

Mr. Shervin participated in the operation of Shervin’s Restaurants located at Broad & Erie and Front and Cumberland.  He was an institutional food sales representative, retiring from Jack and Jill Industries in 1988.

Married for over 55 years to Anne Quinn Shervin, of Broad and Erie in Philadelphia, they settled in the East Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, raising 6 children, Anne Marie Stockbower (Greg) of Ft. Washington, PA, Vincent (Carol) of North Hill, PA, Daniel (Mary Pat) of Landisville, PA, Carol Kelley (John) of Galloway, NJ, Michael (Michele) of Chesapeak City, MD and Christopher (Justine) of Ft. Washington, PA.  Mr. Shervin had 18 grandchildren with the 19^th expecting, along with 2 great grandchildren. 

Mr. Shervin had a passion for Basketball, playing into his 70’s.  After retirement, he refereed basketball and soccer games for Catholic, Public and Inter-Ac leagues.  After relocating to Ambler, PA, he took a position coaching 6^th grade boys basketball at Germantown Academy until 2006.  For decades, Mr. Shervin was a fixture at leagues throughout the Philadelphia Area, particularly LaSalle University, Jardel and Oreland Playgrounds.  He was honored with the Father Time Award in 1980 from the Sturgis playground league for his participation and support.  The Hatboro-Horsham Girls’ Basketball Summer League honored him in 2005 for his many years of dedication to girls basketball.

Relatives And friends are invited to call after 12:00 noon Friday at the Anton B.  Urban Funeral Home 1111 S. Bethlehem Pike Ambler, PA Funeral Service 2:00 PM  Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Reception for family and friends to follow at the Stockbower Residence, 521 Summit Ave, Ft. Washington, PA. In lieu of flowers contributions to Cardinal Dougherty H.S. Tuition Fund, c/o Alumni Development Fund, 6301 N. 2^nd St. Philadelphia, PA 19120.