Obituary of Ralph Henry Silva

Ralph H. Silva died Friday, Dec. 7, 2007 after 100 years, 5 months and 12 days on this earth. He was born in Sacramento, June 25, 1907 to William Peter Silva and Laura Catherine Ducker. He was the great-grandson of California Pioneer, William DUCKER, who settled in the Petaluma area on 360 acres of land he purchased from General Mariano G. Vallejo. During his youth, Ralph and his family moved frequently up and down the state, living in San Miguel at a Stage Coach Stop, San Francisco, Richmond, Petaluma and Fort Bragg. At about 15, Ralph struck out on his own working in varied occupations as a field hand in the Sacramento grain fields, lumberman in the Redwoods, harvesting Oak Tan bark to working as a hearse driver for the Canaar Funeral Home in Fort Bragg. It was there he met Margaret Johnson who was to become his wife in 1935. Their son, Gaelon, was born in 1936 in Willits. Mother and son returned to Fort Bragg on the Skunk Motor Car and the conductor was Margaret's father. At the onset of WWII, Ralph and the family moved to Vallejo where he worked at Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a machinist working on submarines. He was also active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary serving on patrol boats in the Carquinez Straight. Following WWII, the family moved to Chico where they established a permanent residence. Ralph worked for various construction firms as a carpenter until joining M. Oser's and Company in 1951 where he worked until retiring in 1972. At Oser's he was referred to as the "Maintenance Engineer". If it needed fixing he fixed it. For many years, Ralph was heavily involved with the American Red Cross teaching all levels of first aid up to and including Instructor Training as well as CPR classes. He finally gave this up in 1980 for full retirement to enjoy photography, a lifelong hobby. In 2006 Ralph was recognized for 50 years membership in the Chico Leiland Stanford Lodge Number 111 F&AM. His wife, Margaret, died in 1988. He is survived by his son, Gaelon and wife, Janyce of Chico; his grandson, John Silva and wife Sharon Hurwitz, of Chicago. John teaches History at Farragut Academy and Sharon is Executive Director of CASA of Cook County; and his granddaughter, Kimberly Silva-Gibson and husband, Jason Gibson, both serving in the U.S. Navy at King's Bay, Georgia. Kim at the Seabee detachment and Jason aboard the USS Florida. At his request there will be no service and cremains will be scattered off the Mendocino Coast. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Nature Conservancy, c/o Bidwell Chapel. Online condolences can be made at www.bidwellchapel.com