Manuel Silva

It is with broken hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father,  Manuel Silva, who passed away on September 29, 2026, at the age of 76.

Manuel was born on  in Pico, Azores, Portugal.  He was the only child of Manuel and Leonarda DaSilva. At the age of 10, he came to Canada, where he would build a life filled with hard work, determination, adventure, and, above all, family.

After graduating from high school, Manuel began his working life as a welder and went on to hold different positions with MacMillan Bloedel. But Manuel was never one to stop dreaming. At the age of 40, he took a courageous leap and left the mill to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a builder. With his wife by his side combined with his determination, he built his business resulting in countless custom homes for clients in North Burnaby and Vancouver over the span of the next 20 years.

Manuel battled Parkinson’s disease for 17 years with incredible strength and determination. He fought hard, explored every measure available to him, and refused to let the disease define the way he lived. He continued to find ways to enjoy life, to make memories, and to be there for the people he loved. 

Five months before his own passing, Manuel suffered the heartbreaking and sudden loss of Cidalia, his beloved wife of 56 years.  Manuel and his wife shared a love of life and adventure. Together, they loved spending time with family and their life long friends.  They enjoyed many years of going on cruises, traveling, camping, card nights, eating at their favourite restaurants, and going to watch their grandkids sporting events.  Their home was always busy and full with regular family dinners and grandkids sleeping over.  They built a life filled with experiences that they treasured and shared with those around them.

Manuel will also be remembered for his infectious laugh — a laugh that was big enough to fill an entire room.  He had a remarkable ability to make people laugh and bring joy to those around him. His presence was impossible to overlook, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew and loved him.  

Manuel’s greatest mission in life was to give his children the opportunities in life he himself had not been given. He wanted his children to dream big, and most importantly, to live life to the fullest. He worked hard to give his family a life filled with opportunity, love, laughter, and memories.  Far above anything else, being a Grandpa gave him the biggest joy, and he was adored by all of his grandchildren.  He leaves behind his mother-in-law Lucrecia, his children, Michael (Michelle) and Jennifer, and his beloved grandchildren, Jayan, Arman, Isabel, Nicholas, and Jack. He was a devoted father and an incredibly proud grandfather.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 25, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver, 3250 Commercial Drive.