Fred John Silberberger

(Fred) John Silberberger, 88, went to his forever heavenly home on Thursday, March 14, 2013 with family members at his side.

He was born in Omaha, Neb., on Oct. 12, 1924 and moved to Southeast Colorado as an infant. His family consisted of five boys and two girls. John married his childhood sweetheart, Marie Hayden, on Nov. 26, 1942. John and Marie enjoyed celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary last November with their only child, Lynnie Silberberger Clark and family.

After getting married, he joined the Navy during WWII. John was stationed at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. At Pearl Harbor, he was part of the Staff Com Air Pac where he was in charge of operation and maintenance of small boats. This duty assignment included assisting award-winning journalist Ernie Pyle during his preparations for his final tour to the South Pacific.

Following the war, John returned to Denver, where his wife Marie lived and worked while he was in Hawaii. He then attended Denver University. After the birth of his daughter Lynnie, the family moved to Southern California in 1947, starting out in Redlands and moving to Carlsbad in 1961 where he resided until his passing.

Spending his professional career in heavy construction, John established Silberberger Constructors with his brothers. Together they did rock work and built jetties with a significant amount of their work done along the California coast. One of his biggest professional accomplishments was the building of Dana Point Harbor's jetties.

John was fortunate enough to retire at age 52 in 1976. He spent over three decades with Marie enjoying their new passion of golf and new 'career' as a loving grandfather and then great grandfather, while he continued his positions as loving husband and father. As golfer, John and Marie were early members of the El Camino Country Club in Oceanside and remained active there until recent years. John spent a lifetime creating endearing memories.

John is survived by his best friend and loving wife Marie, his daughter Lynnie Clark and husband Dominic of Carlsbad, granddaughters Amy Beck and husband Mitch of Rancho Santa Margarita and Kelly Clark of Carlsbad, great granddaughter Hayden Beck and great grandson Landon Beck, brothers Pete and wife Nancy, Chuck and wife Judy, Ernie and wife Dee, sisters Rosemary Young and husband Chuck, Ruth Rezendes and husband Eddie, beloved family of Sue Machado Kinstler and many wonderful nieces and nephews around the world.

He was preceded in passing by his parents Fred and Santa Silberberger and brother Bill Silberberger.

A graveside military memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5 at the Mission San Luis Rey, 4050 Mission Avenue in Oceanside.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that everyone Pay It Forward -- and act of kindness or an extended hand to others as John would want us all to do.