Blas Silva Franco

Blas Silva Franco, of Brentwood, California, died Wednesday, December 26, 2012, of natural causes. He was preceded in death by his wife Natalia, was born on April 3, 1918, to Federico and Manuela Franco, joined the U.S. Army in 1945, was honorably discharged after the war, and moved to Brentwood in 1952. For many years, he worked as a foreman for many of the well-known ranches in Brentwood, and when he retired, he was a shop steward at the INTERPACE masonry plant in Pittsburg. As the family patriarch, he was loved and cherished by all of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and spouses. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and was always willing to be helpful to family and others in need. His interests included raising farm animals, preparing a large garden every year, fishing, and travelling.

Blas is survived by his brother Pedro Franco of El Paso, Texas, and his six children, Frank Franco of Stockton, Hortencia Tillotson of Grass Valley, Vidal Franco of Sacramento, Elma Gillio of Brentwood, Josie Gillon of Concord, Blas Franco, Jr. of Brentwood, and 12 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren.