Jorge Silva

Jorge Silva was born on January 20th, 1955 and passed away on October 27th, 2024 at the age of 69.

 On Sunday evening, October 27th Jorge Silva passed away after a long fight against cancer. Throughout his years of fighting, Jorge maintained his smile, laughter, and spirit. Jorge will be remembered by many for being an ultimate showman–singer, director, lyricist, guitarist, actor, and coordinator of many Murga performances both in Uruguay and here in Massachusetts. Jorge was a natural born leader–he was able to command a stage and a room with his bright smile. He helped to coordinate, lead, and perform the Uruguayan festival held at Saima Park in Fitchburg for many years. He was also an incredible handyman, and it seemed he was able to put up an entire deck or room within days. Many also knew him for his delicious ravioli making, which Lucero and he would sell and share with friends, acquaintances, and families. His family and friends were lucky enough to enjoy his cooking almost every Sunday. 

Jorge had a way of making everyone in the room with him feel loved, welcome, and accepted. When he looked at you while biting his bottom lip and a side smirk, it felt like you had an inside joke that only you and he shared. If he wasn’t making people laugh with one of his stories, those around him were trying to make him laugh; to make him laugh and smile and look at you with joy in his eyes was something that felt incredible. If you got a compliment on your food or your singing, your heart would always fill with pride–because although he liked to laugh, he took his food and his singing seriously. Jorge loved music, soccer, Sunday Asado with family, and most of all he loved his family. He worked hard all his life–sacrificing for his wife and children, who all inherited his work ethic, his song, and his love for his family above all else. He was so proud of his children who turned his sacrifices and dreams into a reality. 

Jorge leaves his beloved wife of 47 years, Griselda (Lucero) Panizza Silva who cared for him with all of her heart and soul–they shared a rare and everlasting love; Maysha Peckham and her wife Alejandra Hernandez; Andres Silva and his wife Mariana Moraes Carneiro; Fabricio Silva and his partner Magda Mendez; Martin Silva and his wife Melissa Bourque-Silva. He leaves a legacy behind for his seven grandchildren–Kiara Peckham, Julia Peckham, Maura Silva, Lucas Silva, Paulina Silva, Bella Silva, Thiago Silva, and Fiona Silva, his niece Daniela and family, his brother, Miguel Medina, sister, Leticia Silva and her husband Heber Liesengang, and close family and friends in Young, Fray Bentos, and Montevideo, Uruguay, as well as countless friends in the Leominster/Fitchburg Area (Lucero and Jorge always had their door open for any person, family member, or friend in need). If someone did not have family to spend a Sunday or holiday with, there was no way Jorge and Lucero would not welcome them over for good food and company. Jorge was predeceased by his brothers Juan Carlos Silva, Artigas Silva, “Colincho” Medina, Luis Medina, and his parents, Remigio Silva and Paulina Medina of Uruguay. 

Jorge spent his final days constantly surrounded by family and friends–smiling, singing, and making sure everyone got an “I love you” and “besos” upon leaving his room. He left a legacy of strength, resilience, song, soul, and love–a legacy that will be immortal–stories of hardship, stories of resilience, stories of love, stories of family, stories of laughter, stories told around delicious Asado, stories of the pride he had in his children. When asked if he was scared of death, he confidently shared that he did not feel scared, but lucky–he knew how much love he had both given and received. He leaves life’s stage for the last time, taking his final bow, but the echoes of applause for a life well lived remain.

 The wake for Jorge Silva will be held on November 2, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Brandon Funeral Home located at 305 Wanoosnoc Rd. in Fitchburg, MA. A service will be given at 7:30 pm by his niece, Pastor Daniela Silva. 

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, Funeral Directors