Lt John L. Silva - Obituary

ohn L. Silva Lt. Col US Air Force (Ret.) “Jack” On Friday, September 11, 2009 peacefully entered into eternal rest at his residence in Temple Hills, Maryland. Beloved husband for 67 years of Nadine Silva and adored father of James and Jeffrey Silva, Jennifer Pagliaro and late son, Lt. Col John L. Silva, Jr. Devoted brother of Jacqueline Montero and the late Irene Heffernan. Loving grandfather of Gina, John and Lenny Pagliaro, Jr. and Maureen and Suzanne Silva, uncle to Nancy Speizer and Bob Gott, and father-in-law to Mary Silva and Lenny Pagliaro. Dearly loved by a host other relatives and friends. Born October 22, 1917 in San Leandro, CA, Jack attended University of Santa Clara and later graduated as a mechanical engineer from the University of Omaha in 1958. In 1937, Jack met “Deane”, the love of his life, in Stockton, CA. He drafted into the US Army Air Corps (today's US Air Force) on June 5, 1941 as Aviation Cadet and married Deane in 1943 before he was commission as an aircraft maintenance officer and served a two year combat tour in WWII with the 381st Bomb Group at Ridgewell airfield in England. He proudly served two more combat tours in Korea and Vietnam as Chief Maintenance Officer, earning a Bronze Star for bravely, heroism or meritorious service. Retiring after 34 years of distinguished service in 1975, Jack and wife Deane enjoyed sailing the Chesapeake and beyond for more than 20 years together. Family will receive friends, Friday, September 18, 2009 at St. Ignatius Parish, 2315 Brinkley Rd, Oxon Hill, MD for visitation at 10 a.m. and funeral mass at 11 a.m. immediately followed by a reception at the Colony South Hotel in Clinton, MD. Interment with Full Military Honors will take place at Arlington Cemetery on Monday, November 30, 2009 at 3 p.m. All attending must assemble by 2:30 p.m. at the Administration Building of the cemetery. In memory of Jack Silva's love of and service to our country, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.