Sherman was born to Josefa Zotter and Sherman Ward Selden on March 25, 1948. He grew up in a loving family in Bushnell’s Basin, NY, enjoying an idyllic childhood exploring the woods around his house, playing on sandy beaches in Canada with his three siblings, Roxane, Stef and Jeff, and pursuing many great adventures typical of a child in the 1950’s. On the bus to kindergarten, Sherm made friends that would become friends for life.
As a young man, he fed his adventurous spirit when he travelled to Europe and North Africa as a backpacker. He also built a gyrocopter from a kit advertised in the back of a magazine, flew it and lived to tell the tale! He studied Physics at Indiana University for 3.5 years before deciding he did not want to work in a laboratory setting.
Sherm then ran Pittsford Lumber with his partner Valerie for many years and was overjoyed to become a father when their daughter Samara was born. Every weekend during these years was spent with close friends’ families, enjoying home cooked meals, pot luck parties, spirited conversation, and laughter at the endless antics of all the kids. Sherm was beloved by the children who grew up around him and was always ready to help his friends with repairs and home improvement projects. He also enjoyed backpacking, hiking, swamp-tromping, camping and canoeing around New York State.
From a young age, Sherman was drawn to spiritual traditions and sought to understand the deeper aspects of our human experience and the world around us. He loved sharing his insights, and enthusiastically discussed books, rituals, and philosophical ideas with those around him. In later life he was drawn to Bolad’s Kitchen in New Mexico, which he often attended several times a year, exploring new philosophies, working on an adobe building, and forging friendships with fellow students from around the world.
In his final decade, Sherm endured his health challenges with courage, patience, gentle grace and humour. With his passing he leaves behind many people that he dearly loved and many people who deeply loved and cared for him. Although his body has left this world, the beauty of his spirit can still be felt all around us… in the dappled specks of sunlight on a soft forest fern… in the joyful beat of a handmade drum and dancing feet… in a particularly delicious dollop of whipped cream atop a buttery berry crumble.
A celebration of life will be held in summer 2024. In lieu of flowers, please light a candle, sing a song, let your tears flow (as Sherm would say “find the beauty in your grief!”), or send some loving thoughts to help his spirit fly free.
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