Frank F. Silva passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday, February 19, 2010, at the wonderful age of 86. He was born May 25, 1923, to Frank F. and Mary C. Silva (formally of Pico, Azores, Portugal) on the San Julian Ranch, just outside of Lompoc. Shortly after his birth, the Silva Family moved to the Burt Cargasacchi Ranch on Santa Rosa Road. Frank, along with his sisters Mary, Hilda, Amelia and Marian, grew up there and attended elementary and secondary schools in Lompoc. Mr. Silva was a graduate of Lompoc High School's Class of 1942. He served in WWII as a member of the Army Air Corps. After receiving his Honorable Discharge, Frank returned home to marry his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Ann Avila, on April 27, 1946.

Frank, Marjorie and their first two children, Cheryl and Don, moved to Goleta, CA in 1952, where Frank worked as the farming supervisor for the McCray Chemical Company. The family then moved to Santa Barbara in 1953 where daughter, Pattie, was born. In 1957, the Silva Family relocated to Santa Maria where Frank worked as the ranch foreman for Judge Leo Preisker and James McClanahan on the Preisker-McCLanahan Ranch. In 1962, the family moved back to Lompoc where Frank worked as a welder at Valley Welding & Machine Shop for his brother-in-law, Joseph D. Avila. He went to work for the County of Santa Barbara in 1967 as a heavy equipment mechanic until his retirement in 1986.

The Silvas then began their "retirement years". Frank spent many hours in his woodworking shop creating toys, Christmas decorations, and other projects—what he called, "making sawdust". They made two motor home trips to the east coast and one to Alaska. In 2001, they toured Europe. His favorite memories were of Gibraltar; Lisbon, Portugal; and lunch at the Eiffel Tower. They both loved bowling and fishing. The two traveled all over California either to attend bowling tournaments or to tow their boat to a fishing spot. Frank continued league bowling and fishing until well after his 85th birthday.

Frank cherished his active memberships in several Portuguese Societies. He was a founding member of the Lompoc chapter of the Sociedad do Espirito Santo (S.E.S.) do Estado da California (Society of the Holy Spirit for the State of California). He was elected to serve as the Society's Supreme President in 2003. Through his efforts, Frank brought the S.E.S. annual state convention, with well over 500 attendees, to Buellton's Marriot Hotel. During his term as president, Frank and Marjorie traveled thousands of miles up and down the state visiting other S.E.S. lodges and Portuguese associations. It was a very busy year, but Frank and Marge loved the travel and enjoyed meeting new people and making literally hundreds of new friends that they considered "family". In addition to the S.E.S., Frank enjoyed membership in other Portuguese associations such as U.P.E.C, I.D.E.S., and the Lompoc Pentecostal Association. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of St. Anthony's and the American Legion.

Frank and Marjorie shared a love-filled marriage lasting for over 60 years until her passing from cancer on June 19, 2006. Frank was a loving father, wonderful grandfather, and a proud and joyful great-grandfather. He was loved by all - known as Dad to his children and Poppo to his five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He leaves behind daughter Cheryl (John) Baker and their daughter Melannie (Dino) Reveles; son Don (Melissa) Silva and their daughter, Leah Silva; and daughter Pattie (Jim) Rossi, and their children Onnica (Matt) Lowrie, Edward John "E.J." (Tracy) Rossi, and Alessandra "Ali" (Bryan) Thomas. Mr. Silva was also blessed with his great-grandchildren Samantha and Philip Lowrie, Tobi and Corbin Rossi, and Caleb Reveles. He is survived by his sisters Mary (John) Domingos of Elk Grove, CA; Hilda (Nick) Schemine of Mansfield, OH; Amelia (Stan) Gabriel of Yuma, AZ; Marian (John) Morgan of Oxen Hill, MD; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25th, with Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., at the Starbuck-Lind Mortuary located at 123 North A Street, Lompoc. A Catholic Mass will be held Friday, Feb. 26th at 10:00 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church located at 3495 Rucker Road, Lompoc.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Frank's favorite charity, Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org .