Manuel Ferreira Silva

Forever In Our Hearts

Manuel was born in Hanford, California to Manuel F. and Bellmira Silva. He grew up on a small dairy farm, where he developed a passion for taking care of animals. He was a proud veteran who served in the Korean War. He later met and married Clara Ann Martin on June 2, 1956. She has preceded him in death. They had three children; Rodney, Sharon, and Mark. He was also a father figure to his nieces and nephews. He enjoyed a long career at the US Post Office in Hanford. He played in the local men’s softball league and was known for a mean underhand pitch. He was a member of the local Knights of Columbus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Upon their retirement, Manuel and Clara moved to Petaluma, California to be near their children and grandchildren. 

Manuel had a guiding principle in is life. When confronted with a challenge, he always advised, “Well, you gotta do it!“  He was also committed to his plaid shirts, blue jeans, and a baseball cap.

Manuel is survived by his daughter Sharon Urbiztondo, her two children Chirstopher and Lauren Urbiztondo, son Mark Silva and husband Ted Bolivar, son Rodney Silva and husband Mark Hilovsky, a close first cousin Deolinda Avila and husband John, and many nieces and nephews.

To celebrate this life, there will first be a rosary in Petaluma on Wednesday October 5th at 6pm at Adobe Creek Funeral Home. In Hanford the final services will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on October 7, 2022. Services will start at 11:00am with a viewing to be followed by a rosary and a funeral mass at 12:00pm. Interment to immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery. A reception will be held at 2:00pm with location to be announced after interment. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.