Jorge G. Silva

Jorge G. Silva celebrated his 100th year of life surrounded by the love and good wishes of his friends and family in July of 2024. He then peacefully passed away the early morning of August 27th, 2024. What a life he had! How many people are fortunate enough to live 100 years! His beautiful wife of 68 1/2 years, Alegria Silva, passed away just four years prior in the family home they raised their five children in and although this loss devastated him, he still found joy in his life through family. Up until his last breath Jorge was alert, well aware and very appreciative of his life.

Jorge was born to Carlos A. Silva and Angelica Lamar on July 18th, 1924 in Bellavista-Manabi, Ecuador and was the second eldest of 6 brothers. Early on Jorge faced adversity; first, growing up without a father and soon thereafter, losing his mother to cancer he was forced to grow up before his time. After his mother's passing, Jorge went to live with his Uncle, Manuel Lamar. His uncle owned a bakery and early on Jorge took an interest in shadowing him and learning the business. He was given the option of learning how to bake the bread or sell the bread and Jorge chose to sell the bread. He was said to be a good, talkative sales-person who sold many loafs of bread for his Uncle.

In 1942, Jorge joined the Ecuadorian Army as a means to escape the boredom of the day to day life he had become accustomed to and as a way to have his way paid. After his military time came to an end he learned the trade of jewelry from his cousin, Elias Villamar. Through this experience he perfected his craft which solidified his career over the next few decades. In 1947, Jorge met Alegria and won her heart buying her a simple ice cream cone! Jorge began to court Alegria and they soon fell in love. He lovingly told of a story of Alegria’s delight when he hired two men to serenade her by guitar and song through her open windows. After a four year courtship they married by a civil wedding in 1951. His daughter, Blanca, has a core memory of her father hammering the frame of their house that he was building with his own hands in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

By 1961, Alegria and Jorge had 5 children and decided that Jorge would travel to America by himself to seek more opportunities and a better life for his family. Working as a Jeweler he would eat Campbell Chicken Noodle Soup for dinner for a whole year to save up enough money to bring his beloved wife Alegria to America with their 5 children. The family was reunited in July of 1962 when Alegria made the trip to America with the children and together they settled into a home in the South Bronx.

Jorge worked six days a week to provide for his family. His only day to rest was on Sunday. Jorge and Alegria strived to always provide their children better lives and were very proud when they accomplished this by moving their family to a better neighborhood and buying their new home in Hollis, Queens in the summer of 1972. They filled the rooms of their new home with love, laughter, and an abundance of joy for the next 52 years. Jorge and Alegria saw their children grow, marry, have children of their own, raise their own families as well as graduate college and succeed in their own careers and he was fortunate enough to share in many more accomplishments! They took extreme pride in knowing their son, Jorge W. Silva became a teacher and their daughter, Gina Silva, became a Nurse. Heartbreakingly, Jorge and Alegria had to bury a child, their loving son, David in 2016, but we know now that they are reunited and that gives the family great comfort.

As the years passed Jorge and Alegria took life by the reins and decided to make the most of their days traveling to over 30 countries in 20 years! Jorge always brought back a souvenir of their travels for his collection. They often travelled with their two youngest sons, David S. Silva and Moises G. Silva, creating memories that will stay with them for a lifetime. Over the years, Jorge always invited friend and family for meals at his house and would enjoy a nice glass of wine. He loved having a full dinner table!

On August 2, 1980 Jorge was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness, finding Jehovah, and continued to be in this brotherhood until the day he died. He devoted his life to this and his family was supportive knowing he had found peace.

After Jorge retired, he continued to make jewelry in the basement of his house for his wife, children and grandkids. He was a kind, gentle soul. Prior to his frail state, he liked handling things by himself. He would walk to the grocery store, cook nutritional meals for his wife while she was alive, and even painted his own driveway!

Jorge is laid to rest by his children, BIanca, Jorge, Gina and Moises, his Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, His Jehovah's Witness Brother's and all his family and friends.