In Loving Memory of

Gilbert F. Silva (1940 – 2024)

Gilbert F. Silva passed peacefully in Belen, New Mexico on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.  Gilbert was born May 12, 1940, in Guadalupita, NM to parents Ernestina Archuleta (Silva) and Carlos Silva.  Gilbert was one of five boys with brothers, Narciso, Joe, Fred, and Carlos and he spent his childhood in the Northern New Mexico Mountain communities.

Gilbert graduated from Cimarron High School in 1959, and then proudly served his country in the U.S. Army spending time stationed both in the states as well as in Europe. After his U.S. Army service, Gilbert attended college at the University of New Mexico where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.  Gilbert spent most of his adult life in Albuquerque and Belen, N.M.

Gilbert was passionate about history, reading, social justice and learning – he would joke that he was a lifelong student.  He was a hard worker and unafraid to try new things.  Throughout his life, Gilbert worked as a contractor, in insurance and real estate, and he also obtained his securities license.  Gilbert took great pride in everything he did including being a dedicated parent, husband, and grandparent.  Indeed, he was the steady upon whom others would rely.  In his later years he enjoyed painting, time with family and friends, and never met a road he didn't want to drive down or through to experience someplace and something new.  Gilbert enjoyed travel, international and domestic, but particularly enjoyed time spent visiting with grandchildren.  However, at the end of each journey he would reminisce about returning to his cherished New Mexico sunset and the Southwest culture of which he was immensely proud.

Gilbert is predeceased by his parents and two brothers and survived by his brothers, Narciso and Joe, and his beloved wife, Janet Silva.  Gilbert and Janet blended their families when they married in 1976 and spent 48 years of marriage together.  Gilbert is also survived by his daughter, Elizabeth (grandchildren: Cole and Tara); his son, Anthony (grandchildren: Autumn and Corey); step-daughters, Kris (husband Anthony, grandchildren: Anthony, Leah, Josh, Cederro, Tawny), Lori (husband Dave, grandchildren: Aubri and Timothy), Cheri (grandchildren: Ryan and Shaylah), and Tami (grandchildren: Tyler and Tevin), as well as several great grandchildren, cousins, uncles and aunts. Gilbert loved his extended family deeply and in turn was beloved by many.  He will surely be missed but shall remain in our hearts forever.

Funeral mass will be celebrated at the Shrine of Saint Bernadette Catholic Church, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.  (Church address: 11401 Indian School Road, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112).  The Interment will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 North Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501, on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., with US Army Honors.