Services were held Thursday at the Ceres Chapel of Franklin & Downs for Joseph Silva, 88, of Sonora. The former Ceres resident died April 27, 2008.
Burial was at Ceres Memorial Park.
Born Jan. 23, 1920 in Manteca, Mr. Silva had lived in Ceres since 1954 until he moved to the Phoenix Lake area of East Sonora recently to be near his daughters. He served in the California State Guard from 1940 to 1943. Mr. Silva ranched and operated a dairy before moving to Ceres in 1954. He also drove a school bus for Modesto City Schools for 15 years, retiring in 1982.
Mr. Silva enjoyed all sports and played on the Westport fast pitch softball team as a pitcher. He was active in youth sports including the Youth City League where he served as a baseball commissioner. He was a founding member and past president of the Ceres Quarterback Club. Mr. Silva took up golf at age 40 and became an avid player. He also loved to play the guitar and sing around a campfire.
He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Florence Silva of Sonora; his children, Joanne Layne of Twain Harte, Judi Sudhoff of Sonora and David Silva of Mariposa; and 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Remembrances may be sent to VNA-Hospice of Tuolumne, P.O. Box 4505, Sonora. CA 95370.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /May 7, 2008
Burial was at Ceres Memorial Park.
Born Jan. 23, 1920 in Manteca, Mr. Silva had lived in Ceres since 1954 until he moved to the Phoenix Lake area of East Sonora recently to be near his daughters. He served in the California State Guard from 1940 to 1943. Mr. Silva ranched and operated a dairy before moving to Ceres in 1954. He also drove a school bus for Modesto City Schools for 15 years, retiring in 1982.
Mr. Silva enjoyed all sports and played on the Westport fast pitch softball team as a pitcher. He was active in youth sports including the Youth City League where he served as a baseball commissioner. He was a founding member and past president of the Ceres Quarterback Club. Mr. Silva took up golf at age 40 and became an avid player. He also loved to play the guitar and sing around a campfire.
He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Florence Silva of Sonora; his children, Joanne Layne of Twain Harte, Judi Sudhoff of Sonora and David Silva of Mariposa; and 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Remembrances may be sent to VNA-Hospice of Tuolumne, P.O. Box 4505, Sonora. CA 95370.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /May 7, 2008
