1930
2017
Louis was born on June 12, 1930 to Frank and Alice Silva, immigrant parents from the Azores.
He grew up in Santa Clara and as a young man worked various jobs until joining the US Army on October 22, 1952 at the age of 22. He used to joke that he HAD to join or go to jail! … He was joking – something he did often. He was stationed in Japan and proudly served our country in the Korean War.
After his return from service, while working for Meadow Gold Dairy delivering milk (yes, back in the day, they would actually deliver milk to your door), he was introduced to Macleen by a customer on his route. After dating for two years, they married on October 4, 1959 and settled into their first house on Ross Avenue in South San Jose – where he promptly began renovations. Unbeknownst to Macleen, this was a trend that would continue for years and years to come. Louis was continually renovating or changing something in their homes and he was good at it!
Soon after, they purchased their home; they welcomed their first daughter, Kimberly, on November 23, 1960 – Thanksgiving of that year. Needing a larger home, they moved to South 16th Street in San Jose – the house where they would raise their family.
With a growing family, Louis, who loved gardening, decided to start his own business – Lou's Garden and Landscape Service. He was good at what he did and his customers loved him.
In April of 1962, his daughter, Shelley, was born. In August of 1964, his daughter, Nora, was born. Are you seeing the pattern… girl, girl, and girl! As Macleen shared, Louis loved children and would have had many more – if she had agreed ? I think he may have been feeling outnumbered with all of the girls and was hoping for a boy to balance out the odds! (hahaha)
Louis was a very talented and hard working man. He could fix just about anything and always provided for his "girls" – doing whatever he could to make sure they had all that they needed – from the basics, to homemade go carts, to a built in swimming pool. Louis was the yes man… the girls knew that going to Dad was a sure path to getting what they wanted!
He enjoyed the beach – He would take his young family to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk where he could body surf and play with his children in the sand.
He also loved to water ski – which he learned to do as a young man. He wanted to share that love of skiing with his daughters and began looking for a ski boat… a Jet Ski boat. But, Macleen talked him into a safer, more sensible family style ski boat.
Louis enjoyed teaching others to ski. He was a very patient teacher… each of his girls learned to ski first on doubles and then on a single. He had a great technique for teaching everyone… well, everyone except Kimberly's friend, Rose, who just couldn't stay upright in the water and would just roll around and giggle. But, Louis never lost his patience with Rose… he continued to coach her. If you're wondering … Rose never did get up and out of the water on skis but she sure had a good time.
And, Louis did eventually get his jet boat! One powerful enough to pull several skiers at one time and he DID – as many as FOUR! He was also, himself, quite a good skier, doing tricks and skiing with one foot in the ski and the other hanging on to the handle! He loved skiing so much, Macleen and his daughters can still recall him trying to wake everyone up at the crack of dawn while camping at Lake Don Pedro to take advantage of the smooth water. That doesn't go over well when you have a campsite full of girls – but he tried!
Louis was a hunter – He and his beloved dog, Bo, would pheasant hunt together. Occasionally, he was joined by his daughter, Nora, and he sometimes would bring his nephew, Richard. And, although Macleen wasn't so pleased to clean the pheasants, Louis loved pheasant and polenta in an Italian sauce, so she painstakingly cleaned them and picked out all of the bb's.
Louis had his favorite places to visit:
• Disneyland – It started with Louis and Macleen honeymooning at Disneyland. From that point on, Louis would visit Disneyland with his family at least once a year, if not more! Way back in the days of "E" tickets, Louis would spare no expense to make sure the girls had plenty of "E" tickets. He loved to ride all of the attractions-especially the Pirates of the Caribbean. He would carry around a very large Super 8 recorder to capture the moments on film. He would have loved the technology of today!
• Universal Studios – He really liked the magic of making movies. One of their stage shows involved recreating a scene from a hit cop-themed TV show – Adam 12. They pulled people from the audience to play the roles of the actors. Louis was instantly chosen to play one of the lead roles – that of Officer Jim Reed, the handsome, dark haired officer. He was such a good sport. Typically not someone who liked to be in the "limelight," he willingly donned the costume, took direction, and acted in his first (and only) motion picture! And, as you may have guessed, he was teased about this for quite some time.
He was fascinated by the special effects featured in Universal's attractions. In later years, they featured a Miami Vice action packed water show – he absolutely loved this!
• San Francisco – he got excited when the fleet came in. He enjoyed taking his young daughters aboard an aircraft carrier while docked in San Francisco. He also loved to take the Red and White or Blue and Gold cruises around Alcatraz Island.
• San Diego Zoo, Marine World, and Sea World – really any venue that featured animals. Louis loved animals. One he particularly liked was Lion Country Safari in Southern California – an animal preserve that allowed you to drive your personal vehicle through free roaming animals! The family still has a picture of an ostrich that was pecking at the driver's window!
When not at work or working on a project around the house, Louis loved to watch the 49ers and San Jose Sharks. His favorite genres of movies were definitely war, western, and action films.
He was a fierce protector of his family – to include his beloved grandchildren, Chad – the boy he had always hoped for and Athena – a loving reminder of his years with his own girls.
He shared fun times with family and friends and encountered some interesting situations.
One in particular was the time Louis and Macleen were boating with their very good friends, Liz and Ray Donaldson. Henry, Macleen's younger brother, was along for the fun. The group found a nice piece of land where they could enjoy lunch. Someone needed a bathroom break, so Henry volunteered to stay with the ice chests, etc. while the rest of the group made their way back to the dock. Well… by the time the boat returned to the "island," all that was left was a tiny patch of land, ice chests, and personal items stacked up with Henry sitting on top of them. Macleen and Liz had a good laugh together just the other day recalling this memory… I'm sure Henry laughs about it NOW, too.
Louis had a full, good, rewarding life. And although he faced health challenges later in life, he fought hard to be here, to be with his family, and to make it back to California – where he wanted to be.
With Macleen's tenacity, his wish was fulfilled and in December of 2016, he returned to California and settled into his new home in Fresno County where the entire family could spend time with him in his final months.
He is now at peace. Removed from pain, breathing easily, eating all of the foods and sweets he loved so much, and reconnecting with those family members, friends, and pets that moved on before him.
He will be missed greatly but will be thought of with much love and fondness as memories of him live on in all of us, particularly his family.
Please join me in taking a moment to honor Louis by personally reflecting on your memories of him.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary.
6 Entries
June 23, 2017
Nora Silva
Dad for all the countless times you were there for me I'm glad I could be there for you when you needed me most. I'll cherish our last moments together.
RIP
June 23, 2017
My last living Uncle.....a very sad day indeed. He will be missed and remembered always by those who loved him. God bless uncle Louis.
Judith Ledesma Voecks, Grand Island, NE
June 22, 2017
Kathleen Redd
Wonderful tribute and beautiful family photos. Our sympathy to the family. May these wonderful memories bring your comfort and peace.
June 21, 2017
Jo Ann Vega
What a great tribute to a great man. Our family has so many great memories of our families together for some fun times. Your father tried to get my husband Jerry up on skis at Lake Don Pedro and every time he would get up your dad would whip that boat around until he came flying out of his life vest. Never did get up! He was a great uncle and for sure a loving family man. Our deepest sympathy to your family.
June 21, 2017
Tracy Hoefer
Shelley and family, we are so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he had a wonderful life with lots of love from his girls. May you all find solace in the fact that he is no longer in pain. Love to you. Tracy, Jeff and family
June 21, 2017
Kimberly Ross
Miss you dad but you are at peace now and no longer suffering. XOXO
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