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Funeral services for Kerwin Silfies, one of the most influential WWE employees of all time, who directed broadcasts and PPVs for the company from 1985 to 2020, will be held this Thursday in Sarasota, Florida, it has been announced.
Silfies passed away on 2/17. He was a huge reason for the success and growth of what WWE became as it grew nationally and then globally. From Saturday Night's Main Events in the 80s era to Wrestlemanias to WWE's first broadcasts in Saudi Arabia, Silfies was at the helm directing, helping to curate what professional wrestling fans saw for decades, the prism that influenced how many saw professional wrestling as they grew up. Silfies has also been publicly credited with a great eye for character vignettes in the past by Bruce Prichard, specifically vignettes used to establish Curt Henning as Mr. Perfect in the late 1980s.
WWE acknowledged Silfies' passing with a graphic following a Smackdown episode, but given the wealth of work and massive amount of time given to the company, it (in my opinion) was not nearly enough. Given the body of his work, I don't know how anything beyond dedicating a Wrestlemania weekend to Silfies could even measure up to what he gave to the company over the course of his life - the man literally kept working through a heart attack once. That level of dedication is beyond rare and WWE was extremely lucky to have had Silfies.
Kerwin Howard Silfies, 75, passed away on February 17, 2026.
Born and raised in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, Kerwin was the youngest child of Anna Litrenta Silfies and Kerwin Silfies, Sr. From an early age, he possessed a sharp wit, a creative eye, and a quiet determination that would define both his life and career.
After graduating from Temple University, Kerwin began his career in television production at WLVT-TV PBS 39, starting as a cameraman. His talent and leadership quickly set him apart, and he soon advanced into directing. During this time, he directed projects including Won’t You Be My Neighbor, a documentary about the beloved Fred Rogers; Morning Star, chronicling the Moravian Church; and a short film called The Last Full Measure, about the Battle of Gettysburg.
A chance meeting with Vince McMahon, the visionary behind the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), changed the trajectory of his career. That encounter launched what would become a remarkable 35-year legacy in professional wrestling and live television production.
Kerwin became a pioneer in the industry, directing thousands of hours of sports entertainment seen by audiences around the world. From WrestleMania and countless major events to productions for American troops stationed in Iraq, he helped transform the look and scale of large live broadcasts. If you have ever watched professional wrestling, chances are you experienced Kerwin’s vision and craftsmanship. He mentored many along the way, generously shaping careers not only as a director but as a trusted colleague and friend.
His work took him across the globe. With characteristic humor, he often referenced Johnny Cash’s song “I’ve Been Everywhere,” joking that he had nearly lived it—though he liked to point out he somehow missed Montana. That was very Kerwin.
In 2021, he retired from wrestling production and settled full-time in Sarasota, Florida—a place he lovingly called “paradise.” He passed away there in the city he had come to cherish most.
Beyond his professional achievements, Kerwin was an avid sports fan, a devoted supporter of the San Francisco Giants, and a knowledgeable firearms enthusiast who enjoyed honing his skills at the Hellertown Sportsmen’s Association. He also had a deep love of gardening, from the backyard dahlias he grew in Bethlehem to the Florida palm trees he nurtured until the last days of his life. He was known for his exceptional intelligence enabling a quick-witted dry sense of humor, and caring demeanor - qualities that endeared him to family, friends, and colleagues alike.
Kerwin was preceded in death by his loving parents and sister, Robyn.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Marcella (Marci) Carter; his children, Tim and Courtney; his grandchildren, Jack, Henry, and Isabella; and his sister, Patty. His legacy lives on not only in the broadcasts he shaped, but in the lives he touched.
Services: A memorial service will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 11 AM at The Old Moravian Chapel, 44 W Church St, Bethlehem, PA 18018. A calling hour will begin at 10:15 AM and continue until the start of the service. Kerwin's arrangements have been entrusted to Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kerwin’s name to The American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 https://pages.heart.org or take a loved one to dinner in his memory.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kerwin, please visit our floral store.
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PWInsider.com sends our continued condolences and sympathies to Kerwin's family and friends.
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