Services were held held Friday at the Sacramento Memorial Lawn for Frank P. Silva, 89, of Ceres. He died Feb. 9, 2009.
Born May 5, 1919 in Lincoln but spent his early years in the Azores, returning to the United States in 1926 with his older brother Manuel. At ages 7 and 9, the brothers arrived un-chaperoned at Ellis Island and traveled by train to Sacramento. Since they spoke no English, signs with the word Sacramento were placed around their necks during the trip. Frank began working on his father's dairy farm when he was 8 years old. He served in the Army for five years during World War, participating in five major invasions in the Pacific Theatre. When he left the service he attained the rank of staff sergeant. Mr. Silva later left the family's dairy business in Natomas and operated dairies in Marysville and Woodland. He ended his career retiring as the supervisor of the Large Animal Barns at U.C. Davis Veterinary Hospital. Frank enjoyed working out at In Shape City in Ceres, going to casinos, and teaching his grandchildren life's lessons. Frank lived in the Modesto & Ceres area for the last 13 years to be near his son.
He leaves behind his son Daniel Silva of Modesto; his brothers, Joe Silva and Edward Silva; his sister, Laurene Leal; and his grandchildren, Nicole Silva, Heather Silva, Logan Silva and Lucas Silva. He was preceded in death by son Frank P. Silva Jr., stepsons Thomas L. Rossi and Terry L. Rossi, parents Manuel and Anna Silva, stepmother Julia Silva, brother Manuel P. Silva, and sister Marjory Simonson.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /Feb. 18, 2009
Born May 5, 1919 in Lincoln but spent his early years in the Azores, returning to the United States in 1926 with his older brother Manuel. At ages 7 and 9, the brothers arrived un-chaperoned at Ellis Island and traveled by train to Sacramento. Since they spoke no English, signs with the word Sacramento were placed around their necks during the trip. Frank began working on his father's dairy farm when he was 8 years old. He served in the Army for five years during World War, participating in five major invasions in the Pacific Theatre. When he left the service he attained the rank of staff sergeant. Mr. Silva later left the family's dairy business in Natomas and operated dairies in Marysville and Woodland. He ended his career retiring as the supervisor of the Large Animal Barns at U.C. Davis Veterinary Hospital. Frank enjoyed working out at In Shape City in Ceres, going to casinos, and teaching his grandchildren life's lessons. Frank lived in the Modesto & Ceres area for the last 13 years to be near his son.
He leaves behind his son Daniel Silva of Modesto; his brothers, Joe Silva and Edward Silva; his sister, Laurene Leal; and his grandchildren, Nicole Silva, Heather Silva, Logan Silva and Lucas Silva. He was preceded in death by son Frank P. Silva Jr., stepsons Thomas L. Rossi and Terry L. Rossi, parents Manuel and Anna Silva, stepmother Julia Silva, brother Manuel P. Silva, and sister Marjory Simonson.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /Feb. 18, 2009
