Antonio Silva

As family and friends can certainly agree, Antonio Silva truly understood the secret to a life well lived. He was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times, and he brought a spark of joy to every room he walked into. Nothing brought Antonio greater joy than surrounding himself with his family. His solid work ethic formed the foundation of everything he did, and his insatiable zest for life could be felt by all around him. Deeply loved, Antonio will be forever held close in the hearts of those who knew him best.

The late 1950s are remembered as a decade of great social revolution in the United States. The civil rights movement was in full swing, and though the country was divided, it was also experiencing an economic boom and many advancements in everyday life. It was during this tumultuous time that Pablo and Eva (Valdez) Silva of Lake Odessa, Michigan, were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their fourth child. On October 8, 1958, they welcomed their son, Antonio Angel, into the world.

Growing up, Antonio was a typical young man of his generation in many ways. He was raised in the family home alongside his seven siblings, Marguerita, Anita, Pablo, Rosa, Jean, John, and Katherine. Antonio’s father, Pablo, supported the family by working for the Railroad Company, as well as Veteran's Facility and for Walter and Louise Wittenbach Orchards. Each of the family members would go on to work for the Orchards at some point as well. Meanwhile, Antonio’s mother, Eva, dedicated herself to caring for her house and her family as a homemaker. Antonio’s earliest years were spent in Lake Odessa. When he was in sixth grade, the Silva family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he attended local schools.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Antonio as he met and became friends with his neighbor, a girl named Susan Constant. The two became very close and later began dating in 1975. Over the years, their relationship continued to blossom. On June 30, 1979, Antonio and Susan were united in marriage in Grand Rapids. The newlyweds then settled down in Burton Heights, where Antonio worked as a buffer and polisher while Susan worked for Mr. Fables.

All who knew Antonio can surely agree that, of all the things he loved in life, he treasured his family above all else. He and Susan were overjoyed to welcome their three children, Jennifer, Chris, and Adam, into their hearts and home. Antonio thrived in his role as a father, and he went above and beyond to care for his children. Although he and Susan would eventually divorce, they remained good friends, and he was always grateful for the time and children they shared together. Later in life, Antonio was thrilled to become a grandfather and even a great-grandfather as well. He loved hosting holidays or barbeques at his house, where his family would gather for quality time together. Antonio always considered himself blessed to watch his family grow to include so many loved ones.

Never one to sit still for long, Antonio pursued many hobbies to stay busy in his free time. He had a lifelong passion for working on cars, and he was very mechanically-minded and could fix almost anything. Antonio’s prized possession was his 66 Chevy Nova. Though he wasn’t a fan of sports, he did enjoy spending time outdoors. Antonio liked listening to country and classic rock music. His favorite TV shows included The A Team, McGuiver, and Quantum Leap. Antonio was known for his homemade breakfasts and his tortilla soup. He usually preferred to eat at home, but he did enjoy the chili cheese nachos from Ole Taco. Antonio liked Budweiser beer, and he was a big Willie Nelson fan. He loved to hang out with friends and make people laugh.

When looking back on the overflowing life of Antonio Silva, it is easy to see both his unwavering strength and his unconditional love for his family. He was always willing to serve others whenever he could, and he was a shining example of kindness and generosity. A devoted father and grandfather, Antonio was a friend to many and beloved by all. His primary focus in life was forming deep and personal relationships with those around him. Though he will be dearly missed, Antonio leaves behind a priceless legacy that his loved ones will be proud to carry on in his footsteps.

Mr. Antonio A. Silva age 65, of Grand Rapids, passed away on May 20, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pablo and Eva Silva. Antonio is survived by his children, Jennifer (Marcus Lewis) Silva, Chris (Angela) Silva and Adam (Donna) Silva; grandchildren, Ashley, Brianna, Jasmine, Madison, Tyler, Abel and Delylah; and great-grandchildren, Amylah, Arielle, and Ermias. Also surviving is the mother of his children, Susan Silva; siblings, Marguerita Rus, Anita (Don) Reeves, Pablo Silva Jr., Rosa Silva, Jean Silva, John Silva and Katherine (Manuel) Galan; and several nieces and nephews. The family will gather for visitation from 4-6 PM, followed by a service on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE. Please visit www.heritagelifestory.com to read his life story, submit a favorite memory, photo or to sign the guestbook.