Today we honor our father Milton “Milt” Douglas Silver, born on September 5, 1946, in Utah to his proud parents, Marion Ila (Poile) and Douglas Godfrey Silver. Milton was the proud older brother of his four siblings, Charlene Silver-Iverson, Marion “Mimi” Silver, Ken Silver, and Diane Silver.

Milt’s family moved from Utah to Concord shortly after he was born. Milt attended Meadow Homes elementary school, Los Lomas Intermediate school and graduated from Clayton Valley High school. It was there at Clayton Valley High school at the youthful age of seventeen that he met the love of his life, Sara Ann Russell. Milt and Sara began their journey as high school sweethearts. They loved to go dancing, hanging out with friends and family, and Milt loved working on cars. Milt graduated from Clayton Valley high school in 1965 and at the beginning of 1966 he wed his Sara Ann. At the end of 1966 Milt and Sara welcomed their first son Richard “Rick” M. Silver and 4 years later in 1970 their second son was born, Steven “Steve” D. Silver. When the boys were in Elementary school, Milt and Sara moved to Watsonville, CA. They bought five acres and filled it with horses, (Taco and Padre), chickens, and Sara's garden. The boys grew up roaming the strawberry fields, riding their horses, making forts, and stealing the bounty from their mother’s garden. As the early eighties came The Silvers decided to move to Scotts Valley. It was there in Scotts Valley, CA that Milt and Sara were introduced to the Orthodox faith by their neighbors and friends. They were founding members of St. Peter and Paul Orthodox church in Ben Lomond, CA and later founding members of St Lawrence Orthodox church in Felton, CA. Milt was honored to be a member and proudly served as an usher every Sunday. Milt absolutely loved seeing every person in his church as he helped to dismiss them, it allowed him to connect with every one of you.

In December of 1965 Milt decided to enlist in the military and he enrolled in the United States Air Force. Milt was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Shortly after he enlisted, he was deployed to Vietnam where he served as Security policeman and became an Air Police supervisor, at his release from the Air Force in 1969.

Milt began his career with Pacific Gas and Electric after his release from the Military. He worked many long days as a lineman going up and down California and away from his family for weeks at a time. Most of his time working was spent high up on a pole in the wind and rain at all hours of the night. Milt was proud of the 37 years of service to his company and was happy to retire at the age of sixty-two.

Milt was the proud father of his sons, Rick, and Steve Silver, and loved taking photos of his boys playing football in high school. Often Milt would find himself the envy of the other parents, being the only father allowed on the sidelines of Soquel High school. He would generously hand out stacks of photos to the players and their families. When Milt spoke of these times he would always have his beaming smile recounting the many stories from those days. Milt and Sara always had their home open to any of the boys’ friends and those friends became another brother to Rick and Steve and sons to Milt and Sara. Rj Roberson, Keith Neve, Ralph Bracamonte, and numerous other young men grew to call the Silver residence, home, and family. Milt began a tradition with his sons and any friends they wished to bring, to take them up to Round Mountain (Near Redding) and go camping. It was a highlight for Milt and all the boys for many years. They swam, got chased by bears, rafted, shot guns, and had the time of their lives. Milt was often the only father figure that some of these young men had, and he loved them as they were his own.

Milt had many names that he went by but his proudest was Papa. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his 7 grandchildren, Felicia (spouse Marcel) Cathrein, Katrina (spouse Scott) Cortese, Angela (spouse Kyle) Stevenson, Mandy (spouse Forrest) Brown, and Jon Silver born to Rick and Sherri Silver (Felton, CA). His grandchildren Jocelyn Silver and Nick Silver were born to Steve and Jenny Silver (Folsom, CA). Milt was also blessed with eight great grandchildren, Evelyn, Adele, Eliza, and Liam Cortese, Elijah and Olivia Cathrein, and Mackenzie and Bennett Stevenson.

Milt was preceded in death by his beloved son Steve Silver in 2019, his mom Marion Sweetser in 2011, and his sister Mimi in 2024.

Milt is survived by his loving wife Sara Silver and this April 2026 they would have celebrated Sixty beautiful years of marriage.

Milt had many things that brought him joy. He loved working on cars and horseback riding in his youth and that love moved to scuba diving, cheering on his beloved 49ers with his son Rick, photography, and his absolute passion for woodworking. Milt found his skill of woodworking and his love of his church and devoted much of his retirement years to providing works of art for his church. He was a skilled craftsman that made beautiful crosses, furniture, and cutting boards which are just some of the many pieces he made. Many of the items he made he donated and was happy to give to family and friends, it brought him so much joy to see the smiles that his work brought people.

On behalf of Milt, Sara and Rick and their families would like to extend their deep appreciation to the members of St. Lawrence Orthodox church. We thank you for your love of Milt and your graciousness and kindness to the entire Silver family. Rev. Father Seraphim Majmudar, your kindness, patience, and countless encouragement to us will never be forgotten and words cannot express how grateful we are to you. Deacon James, Yvette, and Anna Burkett, we thank you and your teams for helping to keep us organized, keeping us on track, and welcoming our family and friends with love and support.

Pops, papa, friend, dad, and husband Milt, you are missed and you are deeply loved! We will cheer on your beloved 49ers and yell “Go Joe” just as you taught your oldest granddaughter and continue the tradition with your great grandchildren. We will go to the beautiful island of Hawaii snorkel and scuba dive with the turtles and put our toes in the sand watching the glorious sunset and looking for the green light. We will enjoy cooking and family dinners using your lazy Susans and cutting on your cutting boards that we have been blessed to receive from you. Your legacy will continue!

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’” John 11:25-26

Many thanks to our Pallbearers:

Rick Silver, Jon Silver, Marcel Cathrein, Kyle Stevenson, Forrest Brown, and RJ Roberson.

Thank you for celebrating Milton Silver’s life with us!

Love The Silver Family