Silverio Carrillo

It has been said that “all the world’s a stage.” This particularly held true for Silverio Carrillo. Indeed, he was one of the players. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a perpetual performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and was always willing to share that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Silverio, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark, or the twinkle of an eye. Silverio truly mastered the art of living and had great fun throughout his journey.

Silverio first stepped onto the stage of life on June 20, 1927. He first greeted the world in San Isidro, Texas. Even as a child, it seemed as though he had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring, and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention and was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, succeeded in entertaining his entire family. He was a hard worker at an early age.

Silverio was a very easy person to approach, simply by being so emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate. Ramona Alaniz learned this firsthand.

He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings and that was especially true in marriage. In that way, he tried to bring joy and harmony to the household. Like most young couples, they lived rather modestly.

Silverio seemed to have an endless appetite for new activities. A generous person who often wore his heart on his sleeve, he often found himself involved in activities that he felt were important. He was charitable, kind, and giving, qualities that made him a natural volunteer. Outspoken in his beliefs, yet tactful in his dealings with others, he was a member of several community groups. Silverio had an endless appetite for new and different activities. He was always ready to join in the fun and add his flair and energy to an organization. Because of his personality, his humor, and his ability to get along with everyone, Silverio's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which he belonged.

Perhaps the reason Silverio related so well to youngsters was the fact that he was always a kid at heart himself. This quality helped him in raising his own family. It was as if he remembered the way it felt to play and have fun as a child and so he tried to keep that feeling alive in his own family. He had six children, one son David and five daughters, Bertha, Jeanie, Cathy, Alice and Sandra. The children would often fill him with pride. He also tried to raise the children in a safe and nurturing environment, filled with fun and wonder. Silverio had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with his children, that is where all of his attention was directed. He could spend hours engaging them with fun and creative play. In fact, Silverio had a knack for turning some of those nasty old household chores into fun and playful games.

He tried his best to be a good parent. Silverio also carried over the fun into family trips and vacations. Silverio had 18 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

At work, as in life, Silverio was a real "people person." He had a very successful way of working effectively with others and his enthusiasm and energy were often contagious. When dealing with various projects and problems, Silverio was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the best option. Being a down-to-earth thinker allowed many to see him as an excellent problem-solver. His primary occupation was working as maintenance with Parks and Recreation.

Silverio was an Army veteran.

Silverio believed that you had to experience life to its fullest and his life in retirement was no different. Like most things in his life, he took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With his boundless energy, he remained busy with people and projects. He kept himself busy by gardening and taking daily walks. Not only did Silverio stay in touch with old friends, he befriended plenty of new people as well.

Silverio Carrillo left us on April 18, 2011. He passed away at Inter Community Hospital in Covina, California. He was 83 years old. He is survived by his wife, his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. Services were handled by Custer Christiansen Mortuary. Silverio was laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery.

Silverio was always sharing a good laugh and bringing joy to all of those around him. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and a zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Silverio Carrillo lived life to its fullest and made everyone happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.