Joseph N. Silich Sr.

Missing you, Joe.

We will miss Joe at Grand Haven. He was always friendly and very important to our dance group. Tom and Judy

Hello, this is Greg Silich, son of Joe Silich Sr.

On behalf of Joe’s family, we are so thankful for the very thoughtful and kind words shared on the Legacy site. These tributes really helped our family accelerate the shift from the loss and sadness to celebrating his life. These meant a lot to us.

We knew our Dad touched many lives with his personality and passion for life. Having said this, it has been a truly remarkable last few days with an outpouring of love and kindness from countless friends in the Grand Haven community, dancing committee, politics, horse racing, Croatian club and so many other networks and activities. We loved hearing the stories about Dad, so much warmth and laughter.

You will be happy to hear that yesterday’s church services at St. Jerome in Chicago ended with a closing song and tribute to Dad with Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”. This song and its lyrics resonated with so many who were able to attend the services.

After the church, we had a small luncheon with the immediate family to celebrate his life. We then re-convened in the evening and had a great time, making more Silich family memories.

Thank you again, we wish all of you the very best.

Greg, Lesly, Sue and Joe Jr.

My heartfelt condolences to Joe's family and close friends. Joe was one of a kind. Amazing energy and zeal for life. May his memory be a blessing.

Joe was always ready to go and enjoy life. White sox game, horse racing , political events whatever the flavor of the day was , he was up for it. He loved life, family and friends. He will be missed. Until we meet again. Rest in peace.

I met Joe through the dance club at Grand Haven in Romeoville. He was such a stitch! He was my dance lessons partner and dancing with him was such fun. He was such a go getter and so very active in his community. He will be greatly missed. My sincerest condolences to his family. He brought a lot of joy in his life.

Joe sure loved his fun family!!!

So glad we had the pleasure to meet Joe through the LTRO. It was great talking politics, horses and pretty much just about anything with him. To his family we hope your loving memories will provide you peace and comfort in the days ahead. Save a seat for us Joe!

so truly very sorry for your loss. may your dad rest in peace with our lord jesus christ, amen.

respectfully yours,


ken kufner

stl, class of 1985

Please accept our condolences, to all the family. Joe was a wonderful person & friend. He was such a great participant in the Theater Club and Grand Haven Community. His smile and witty demeanor will be missed!
Ron & Joan Jones

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

I am so sad that my buddy Joe has moved on. I had so many laughs and good times with him over the years. I was the Activities Director at Grand Haven when I first met Joe many years ago. He became like an assistant to me, always `advising´ me on what activities and events were needed. We worked well together and cranked out many Grand Haven Christmas parties as a team. We stayed in touch after I left Grand Haven and continued a wonderful friendship. I don´t think I´ve been on a work Casino trip without him, that will be tough. I can´t believe he won´t be there. I love you and miss you, Joe.....later, later.

I got to know Joe thru our mutual love of politics, his red and mine blue. Joe served as the Republican Committeemen and I served as his Democratic counterpart. Unlike the folks in Washington DC, we got along very well. We worked together to put together candidates nights to make our fellow Grand Haven residents better informed voters, served as officers in the civic club, and provided meals to election workers on Election Day. Joe was a pleasure to work with and he will be missed by us all. I valued his friendship and will miss having his partnership and assistance. Rest In Peace my friend.

I would like to offer prayers of comfort and heartfelt condolences to the Joseph Silich family. Joe will be remembered as a lover of music and dance. He was proud of his family and Croatian heritage and had fond memories from his past. He enjoyed getting dressed up and planning dinners and musical events. Joe´s advice to friends and Grand Haven neighbors: "Keep a song in your Heart." He took an interest in community and offered his fundraising ideas to help plan events. He had so much energy and influenced others to get involved and get busy. "Count me in!" I treasure the good times and the memories of my dear friend Joe.
Judy Crowther

I remember the first time we met at our Theatre Company meeting. I found out we grew up in the same neighborhood of Bridgeport.
Joe, your smiling face and great voice will be missed.
Marge Humbert

What a loss to our Grand Haven community. Joe was such an asset to our social dance club at Grand Haven. He was such a good guy and fun to be with on our gambling casino trips. He will truly be missed by my husband and me. I´m sure he´s dancing in heaven. Our sympathies to family, Gary and Mimi

I will always treasure the August 15th Croatian celebrations at St. Jerome's. You welcomed my husband's Croatian family by sharing the wonderful foods. I will remember you when I make sarma!

More of Joe we send out sympathy to his family. Joe was such an active member here at GrandHaven. I worked with him and watched how proud he was to give his all with out theater club, performing in many of our shows. Joe enjoyed life and was a man of many abilities. He will be missed!
Paul & Andi Hammelman

We first met Joe in 2007 when he organized the Grand Haven Ballroom Dance Club. He was a dynamo getting things done, always enthusiastic and joking. He was involved in many things at GH and will be sincerely missed. These pictures show Johnny Gabor, Connie Marshall, Roz Moore and us, Dixon and Cheryl Arevalo

Joe, I will always remember our last rehearsal for our duet “it Had To Be You” last October. You were amazing and we planned to give an outstanding performance for the show but Covid canceled the show! But I will always remember us together on stage. Love always, Ginny

So deeply sorry, he will be missed
Emily Squinto

So sorry to hear this news. Joe was forever young and I am sure he will be dancing in heaven. He will be missed.

A really wonderful guy who "knew a guy." You will be missed by many, Joe!

A wonderful guy who "knew a guy." You´ll be missed by many, Joe!

I´m so sad about the passing of Joe. He was a great friend and was my dance partner when I was in dance lessons. I will truly miss his jokes and smiling face. Rest In Peace dear friend. You are now with the angels in heaven.

What a wonderful guy who "knew a guy." You will be missed by many, Joe!

We will miss you Joe! You have been our neighbor for 20 years.
Rest In Peace.

Julius (Wally ) and Renee Schiesl

You will be missed, Joe.
The Theater Club won't be the same without you.

Our sympathy to the whole family....

Al and Carolyn Eret

Our deepest sympathies to the family of our dear departed friend and neighbor of Grand Haven- Joe Silich.
We shared many great experiences with Joe as fellow officers and members of the GH Social Dance Club. Joe was a founding member of the Dance Club, and a great supporter of socialization through dance in our community. The last time we spoke with him, he repeated our Club motto, "Keep on Dancin!" We will do that. We will miss you Joe-rest in peace.
Sincerely, Pat and Bill Zakavec

Enjoyed your dance classes, the club you helped found, and your bright spirit. We will keep on dancing. Joe you will be missed here at Grand Haven. Our condolences to your family and many friends.
Joe and JoAnn