Obituary of Cruz Silva

My father Cruz I. Silva was born on July 22, 1937 in the small parish town outside of Jalisco Guadalajara called Capilla De Milpillas. My father had many siblings; he was one of nine and grew up in a hardworking Mexican family. His father Pillar operated and owned coal mines in the area but my father felt that working in the coal industry was not for him and he wanted to venture out to California with friends to work as an agricultural laborer through the Bracero Program in 1964. My father met my mother Maria Angeles a little after arriving to California in Calexico and they were shortly married and throughout the years raised four children, many grandchildren, and great grandchildren through hard work and perseverance. My father shared many stories of his work and travels up and down California and Arizona but always said that the most beautiful was the Salinas Valley, where he felt most comfortable and home. My dad had an amazing spirit, nothing could keep him “down”, and he lived for the day and the moment. He found pleasure in the simplest things; working in the garden, helping mow my sister’s lawn on the riding lawn mower while having one of the grandkids mounted with him and finding teaching opportunities to share with all the grandkids regarding gardening. He loved going to watch his grandchildren play various sports, especially soccer where he would be diligent with score keeping and cheering for them. He was the “fixer” anything that would break down he would be called, whether it was just to standby while the family plumber came by or making a full attempt to trouble shoot and fix it himself. He was generous and giving, he spoiled the kids with candy always had an open door policy to the “candy drawer” where all the children would run to when they arrived to Grampa Cruz’s house. My father was the patriarch of our family, he was the oak tree with deep roots and wisdom, and my dad’s philosophies will stay with me for the rest of my life. I am the person I am because of his values and words of wisdom that he has passed on to me, and I am not alone when stating that he will truly be missed. My dad took his last breath on December 15, 2015; he was surrounded by family and had prayer during his journey to heaven. We find comfort in knowing that my father is no longer in pain and can breathe with ease. I am most certain that he is proud of his family especially, how we all came together in this difficult time. My father Cruz is survived by his wife Maria Angeles Silva, daughter Yolanda Solis, son Cesar Martinez, daughter Patricia Silva, and son Cruz Ed Silva, and multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren. “We love you dad, we will carry you in our hearts and in our spirits”. “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide1 even to the end” psalm 48:14 Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015 1-9pm with a Rosary vigil at 7pm, all at Healey Mortuary 405 N. Sanborn Rd. Salinas, CA 93905. Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, December 21, 2015 11am at Cristo Rey Catholic Church 240 Calle Cebu Salinas, CA 93901. Burial to follow services at the Garden of Memories Cemetery 850 Abbott St. Salinas, CA 93901.