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BORN
1932
DIED
2017
Santiago Silva Obituary
On Saturday, October 28, 2017, Santiago Jim Silva died peacefully at his family home in Silver Spring, MD. His family celebrated his life at a mass at his church, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
The eldest son of Benigno Silva and Amalia (Garcia) Silva, Silva was a native of San Antonio, Texas and a graduate of San Antonio's Central Catholic High School, St. Mary's College, and Our Lady of the Lake College. He was a teacher, coach, and athletic director at St. Gerard's and Holy Cross high schools. He was also one of the original planners of the San Antonio Neighborhood Youth Organization (SANYO), and an active leader and lifelong member of San Antonio's League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Silva moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the U.S. Department of Labor, where he served as a manpower development specialist, special assistant for Latin American affairs, and a member of the U.S./Mexican Commission for Border Development. He was married to Mary (Mackelmann) Silva and had two daughters.
He is survived by both of his daughters, Cristina Silva and Elena Silva, his son-in-law Brian Woodward, his grandchildren Riley Hinton, Elian Woodward, and Gabriela Woodward, and a host of other dear family and friends in the Maryland-DC area and in San Antonio.
He is buried at the Maryland Veteran's Cemetery in Crownsville, MD, and will be remembered and dearly missed by all who loved him.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Santiago Silva
Richard James Alvarado
November 18, 2021
He was a very good man and one of the favorites at Holy Cross. What a connection he had to so many Catholic schools in San Antonio. Blessings!
Bear HC65
November 16, 2020
Thanks coach Bear
December 1, 2017
My condolences to the family of Coach Silva. Mr. Silva coached my father at Holy Cross. He played football. Upon hearing Mr. Silva's death, my father told me a story of his kindness. My father did not have football cleats. Coach Silva drove my dad to a sporting goods store and purchased a pair. To this day my dad still has those black cleats that help him excel in the field and I feel in life. My father, Agustin Cerna, is a graduate of 1965. Thank you family of Coach Silva.
Jacob Cerna gradute of Holy Cross 1991
Richard Mendoza
November 21, 2017
Sending prayers and condolences to the family of Jim Silva - a Central Catholic High School friend. We recently re-established the friendship via social media and I am most pleased we did. May Jim rest in peace.
Rick Mendoza, CCHS 1952
Ernest Sorola
November 21, 2017
My prayers and condolences to the Silva family. Coach Silva was very instrumental in my character development as at coach at Holy Cross. I would have loved to tell him that because of his influence I grew up to be an Air Force pilot and proud grandpa with 7 children. I am truly sadden by his loss, other than my father, no there person has made me feel like this. I mourn for his loss. I am thankful that he was part of my life.
Ernest Sorola, '65
Bobby Feike
November 20, 2017
Coach Silva & Dr Pete DeLeon where the Dynamic Duo of the 1960's. Matching TBirds and the sharpest dressers in town.
Great coach, great teacher. Thanks for the rides home.
RIP Coach!
Bobby Feike
HC "65
Elena Silva
November 19, 2017
Elena Silva
November 19, 2017
Elena Silva
November 19, 2017
Elena Silva
November 19, 2017
Elena Silva
November 19, 2017
Elena Silva
November 19, 2017
Elena Silva
November 19, 2017
Elena Silva
November 19, 2017
John "Jack" Webre
November 19, 2017
I attended Holy Cross High School from 1961-1965. Coach Silva taught me Civics and Texas History. He was also my football coach. Though he presented a tuff exterior he was very good teacher and treated everybody the same. I am saddened to hear about his departure from this world.
Louis Arispe
November 19, 2017
Thanks Coach - HC 65
Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results
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