SILVA

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Friday, December 08, 2006 at 04:47:52 :

Sausalito News
Saturday, December 27, 1913
Page 1

Good Citizen Called

Joseph V. Silva, ex-Town Trustee and ex-Town Treasurer and one of our leading citizens, passed away at 11:10 Tuesday morning from a complication of the internal organs, after an illness of several months, and it has thrown a shadow of gloom for Joe Silva was liked by all as he was a very good citizen. The community extends its sincere sympathy to his bereaved and sorrowing family.

His funeral today will be attended by people from all sections of California, and will be one of the largest ever held in Southern Marin.

Mr. Silva was born on the island of St. George, Azores, in February, 1855, and at the age of 18 came direct to California in a sailing vessel and went to work on a ranch at Pt. Reyes. In 1877 he and his partner, Mr. Peters, went dairying on the Big Coyote Ranch near Manzanita. A few years later Mr. Silva went into the present grocery business subsequently taking Mr. Peters in as a partner, doing business under the name of Silva and Peters.

In January, 1889, he married Miss Louise Silva who blessed him with three children of which two, Manuel and Marie are living. A few months ago they were looking forward to their silver wedding next month.

Mr. Silva took an active part in commercial, civic and fraternal matters, and was always progressive and interested in the welfare of the community. The success of many a resident of Sausalito is due to the voluntary assistance and advice of the deceased. He served several terms as Town Treasurer and four years as Town Trustee of Sausalito.

He was one of the incorporators of t he Bank of Sausalito and always a stockholder and director.

He was an active member of the Grand Council of the U.P.E.C. and also grand trustee for several years. He was a charter member and treasurer of Council No. 14, U.P.E.C., charter member and trustee of Council No. 49, I.D.E.S., organizer, charter member and ex-president of the Holy Ghost Society of Sausalito; charter member and trustee of the Sausalito Court of the Ancient Order of Foresters and charter member of Sausalito Aerie of Eagles.

He was a strong Republican. The Bank of Sausalito will close its doors this morning while the funeral service is being held.

Mr. Silva leaves a large estate consisting of valuable business property in Marin and Solano counties, and interests in several business propositions.

It was the writer’s good fortune to know Mr. Silva long and well for nearly a third of a century and we only knew him to esteem him more highly as the years passed by. Today we miss his kindly smile and friendly greeting, we long again for his genial presence.

He was a devoted husband and a kind and indulgent father, to his friends the soul of goodfellowship. But greatest of all he was a man. And as a man it is that those who knew him best love to contemplate him. He believed that the man who scatters flowers in the pathway of his fellow men, who lets into the dark place of life the sunshine of human sympathy and human happiness, is following in the footsteps of his Master. Though he is gone his record has been made and will remain with us as a lasting treasure. His life was gentle but like the still waters it was deep.

The funeral services will be held this morning from his late residence and interment will take place in Fernwood cemetery.