Victor Manuel Silva

April 1, 1931 - September 9, 2024 Victor ("Vic") Silva passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 9, 2024, at the age of 93, in the Hermosa Beach home where he lived for 55 years.
Vic was born on April 1, 1931, in East Los Angeles to Francisco and Juanita Silva. His early years were filled with poverty and illness. Vic's father, who escaped the Mexican revolution by riding on top of a railroad box car to the U. S., went blind before Vic was born and then died when Vic was just 2. It was left to Vic's mother to raise him and his older brother, Raoul.
At the age of 5, Vic was diagnosed with tuberculosis and separated from his family for the next 5 years. He spent time at L.A. County General Hospital and Olive View Sanitarium before ultimately being placed at the Monrovia Health Camp for Boys. Vic was released from Monrovia in 1941 and lived with his mother for a year until she tragically died of the disease he had survived, TB. He was then sent to live with his grandmother in the Ramona Gardens housing projects. He vividly remembered the Zoot Suit riots of 1943.
In 1944, the family moved to South Central Los Angeles where Vic attended John Muir Jr. High and Manual Arts High School. Despite having had TB, Vic made the B football team and became the top high jumper. He also wrote for the school paper and provided art for the yearbook.
When Vic was just 16, he lied about his age and joined the 160th Infantry Regiment of the 40th Division of the California National Guard to make extra money on the weekends. Two years later, that weekend job turned into a full time one when the the 40th Division was called up to fight in Korea. Vic subsequently served as a young sergeant leading an infantry squad in combat above the 38th parallel. Vic did not talk about his war experiences until very late in life, and then only sparingly.
After Korea, Vic was discharged from the Army as a Sergeant First Class and attended L.A. Trade Tech, learning hand lettering and sign painting. These skills landed him a job as a graphic artist at Hughes Aircraft where he met his future wife, Ann Marie Williamson. They were married in 1958 and had three children: Michael in 1961 and twins Mark and Paul in 1962. Unfortunately, the marriage was not a good match. The two divorced in 1965 and Vic was awarded custody of all three boys. Through the years, Vic was very supportive of Ann and made sure the boys visited her regularly until her death from lung cancer at 47.
Vic and his three sons eventually settled in Hermosa Beach, where Vic worked at TRW for 36 years, first as a graphic artist and ultimately as the head of the video production department until his retirement at age 62.
Vic was a devoted father raising three sons on his own. Although he would never take credit, Vic's stern guidance and steadfast support resulted in three sons whose achievements exceeded anything Vic could have ever imagined for his children while he was growing up as a "poor Mexican kid," which is how he often described himself.
Vic was also deeply devoted to and proud of his 6 grandchildren. He never passed up an opportunity to babysit. He co-coached their basketball teams with his sons. He attended every soccer game, baseball game, play, and surf or skate contest. Very late in life, Vic was thrilled to spend time with his 2 great-grandchildren, who he adored.
Vic loved body surfing and watching beach volleyball. He was a fixture at Mira Costa High School basketball and volleyball games and theater productions long after his own sons and their children graduated. For years, he served as the official scorer for the Redondo Union High School basketball team.
Vic was a voracious reader, an avid observer of current events, and loved movies. He even wrote a couple of unproduced screenplays. His taste in music ran from Benny Goodman to the Beatles to Broadway. He also had a terrific sense of humor. His dry take on life had people laughing up until his final days.
Finally, Victor loved dogs. After his sons moved out, Vic owned a series of dogs who provided him with less troublesome and very satisfying company. Some people think that Vic loved dogs more than people. Let's call it a tie.
A very well attended and joyous celebration of Vic's life was held at his home on November 9, 2024.
Vic is survived by his sons, Mike (wife, Liz), Mark (wife, Diane), and Paul (wife, Kim) as well as 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.