1922
Milton
2015
Milton Silva
March 23, 1922 — July 4, 2015
Milton Gilbert Silva passed away at the age of 93 on July 4, 2015, joining the love of his life, wife Edie McMurtry Silva.
Milt was born on March 23, 1922 in Hayward, California, to Benjamin Joseph and Annie Inez Silva. His father, Ben, was born in Horta Faial, Azores, Portugal, and instilled a proud Portuguese heritage with strong, hardworking ethics to Milt and his brothers, Robert and Earl, who all preceded him in death. Milt grew up on a hill-top farm where he developed a keen interest in the world of agriculture .After graduating from high school he proudly served in the Navy during World War II with his brothers from 1942 to 1945. Milt was honored with many medals while serving throughout Italy and North Africa. He was an ardent baseball and softball player who enjoyed playing well into his late 50's, and represented the Navy in the armed forces' all-star baseball tournament while stationed in Italy.
After the navy Milt enrolled at the University of California, Davis graduating from the College of Agriculture in 1948 participating in the first commencement held on the Davis campus. Milt taught agriculture at Los Molinas High School, and then returned to UC Davis working in the Department of Plant Pathology for nearly 34 years as a Research Associate.
Milt lived in Davis for 69 years, the place where he met Edie while attending UC Davis. They were married at St. James Catholic Church on November 14, 1949, and were devoted to each other f until her passing in 2008. He greatly missed his best friend and love.
His love for UC Davis and sports were exemplified by over 33 years of volunteer service with Intercollegiate Athletics, he received the Cal Aggie Athletic hall of fame Special Volunteer Award, as a baseball umpire, track/field official, men's basketball scorebook official, and football chain gang/scoreboard official. His love for Davis and baseball never waned - he was a coach/manager, board member, President of Davis League, and started the Davis Babe Ruth League many years before his son, Stan, playing .playing. Milt was also an avid golfer with a long-time membership at the Yolo Flyers Club. Milt worked and played hard with the highest standards and spoke with utmost honesty; he was loyal and driven. He was fondly called "Uncle Miltie" for his helping ways, radiant smile, and infectious laughter. He loved to tell stories and make people laugh. Milt was a master gardener who enthusiastically shared his "green thumb" and his vast knowledge. Staying active, he lived by his "use it or lose it" mantra, riding his bike to work everyday for 34 years, and daily up to the age of 91.
Milt is survived by his cherished family: daughter Darlene Silva Hunter (Craig), son Stan (Lorri); grandchildren Cristlyn Hunter Stephens (Jeff), Shelby Hunter, Ashley Silva, and Matthew Silva; great granddaughter JayCee Stephens; and numerous loving relatives and treasured friends. In honor of Milt's wishes, no services will be held and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers the family requests Milt Silva memorial donations are made to UC Davis TeamAGGIE at: https://give.ucdavis.edu/Donate/YourGift/311935-DEVPOEE. Alternatively, to the Davis Little League Milton G. Silva Memorial Fund (Davis Little League, P.O. Box 4014, Davis, CA 95617, or credit card at: https://squareup.com/market/davis-little-league). Condolences may be left on the guest book at: www.smith-funerals.com.
Davis Little League Milton Silva Memorial Fund
Milt was born on March 23, 1922 in Hayward, California, to Benjamin Joseph and Annie Inez Silva. His father, Ben, was born in Horta Faial, Azores, Portugal, and instilled a proud Portuguese heritage with strong, hardworking ethics to Milt and his brothers, Robert and Earl, who all preceded him in death. Milt grew up on a hill-top farm where he developed a keen interest in the world of agriculture .After graduating from high school he proudly served in the Navy during World War II with his brothers from 1942 to 1945. Milt was honored with many medals while serving throughout Italy and North Africa. He was an ardent baseball and softball player who enjoyed playing well into his late 50's, and represented the Navy in the armed forces' all-star baseball tournament while stationed in Italy.
After the navy Milt enrolled at the University of California, Davis graduating from the College of Agriculture in 1948 participating in the first commencement held on the Davis campus. Milt taught agriculture at Los Molinas High School, and then returned to UC Davis working in the Department of Plant Pathology for nearly 34 years as a Research Associate.
Milt lived in Davis for 69 years, the place where he met Edie while attending UC Davis. They were married at St. James Catholic Church on November 14, 1949, and were devoted to each other f until her passing in 2008. He greatly missed his best friend and love.
His love for UC Davis and sports were exemplified by over 33 years of volunteer service with Intercollegiate Athletics, he received the Cal Aggie Athletic hall of fame Special Volunteer Award, as a baseball umpire, track/field official, men's basketball scorebook official, and football chain gang/scoreboard official. His love for Davis and baseball never waned - he was a coach/manager, board member, President of Davis League, and started the Davis Babe Ruth League many years before his son, Stan, playing .playing. Milt was also an avid golfer with a long-time membership at the Yolo Flyers Club. Milt worked and played hard with the highest standards and spoke with utmost honesty; he was loyal and driven. He was fondly called "Uncle Miltie" for his helping ways, radiant smile, and infectious laughter. He loved to tell stories and make people laugh. Milt was a master gardener who enthusiastically shared his "green thumb" and his vast knowledge. Staying active, he lived by his "use it or lose it" mantra, riding his bike to work everyday for 34 years, and daily up to the age of 91.
Milt is survived by his cherished family: daughter Darlene Silva Hunter (Craig), son Stan (Lorri); grandchildren Cristlyn Hunter Stephens (Jeff), Shelby Hunter, Ashley Silva, and Matthew Silva; great granddaughter JayCee Stephens; and numerous loving relatives and treasured friends. In honor of Milt's wishes, no services will be held and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers the family requests Milt Silva memorial donations are made to UC Davis TeamAGGIE at: https://give.ucdavis.edu/Donate/YourGift/311935-DEVPOEE. Alternatively, to the Davis Little League Milton G. Silva Memorial Fund (Davis Little League, P.O. Box 4014, Davis, CA 95617, or credit card at: https://squareup.com/market/davis-little-league). Condolences may be left on the guest book at: www.smith-funerals.com.
UC Davis TeamAGGIE
Davis Little League Milton Silva Memorial Fund
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