April Fools

by Erin

First of all I want to say I love you. I love you so much. I truly believe I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have you as a father. You are and always have been there for me no matter what, and I know you always will be. I’ve made some good choices in my life and I’ve made some bad as many other people have I’m sure. But for those bad choices, not everyone has that one person who will always stand by their side till the end. You are that one person for me. Whether you think I’m right or wrong, you support me without question. Thank you for that.

On April 1st 2000, I decided to play a good, but extreme, April’s Fools joke on you. I called you that day and in a somber voice I told you that I had something serious to tell you and that I hope you were not going to be upset. “I’m pregnant”, I said. You paused just for a brief second and said to me “Babe, I’m not upset. Don’t worry, everything is going to be fine. Everything is going to work out and be ok”. You weren’t extremely excited about it, but you were happy. And then I had to say “April Fools”….but it wasn’t as funny as I thought it would be. You then said something like, Oh you got me, or something like that and then the conversation ended….. The April’s Fool joke though didn’t end that day. 7 months and 19 days after that “Aprils Fools” joke, you found yourself pacing the hallways of Memorial Hospital nervously. You snuck in the locked doors that kept you from me behind nurses making their rounds. And you got kicked out every time. That didn’t stop you though. You always found a way to get to my room to make sure I was ok. At 2:00pm (exactly) November 20, 2000, you became the proudest Grandpa alive. Jack Thomas Blackman was here, and he was already your best friend.

Turns out the “Joke” was on me. I had no idea on that past April Fools day that I was actually pregnant. I didn’t even find out I was pregnant until a few weeks past that day. But just as you said, everything worked out just fine and we were all ok.

Thank you for all the help and support with Jack you’ve given to me. I couldn’t do it without you. It makes me so happy that you two are so close. Not very many children get to grow up spending almost every day with their grandparents. Jack does. Whether it’s taking or picking him up from school, playing woofle ball in the front yard, or just running your daily errands with you, he enjoys every minute with you. Thank you for helping me make my boy a better person. We are both blessed to have you in our lives. I love you dad.

Happy Birthday Uncle Tim

by Claire

Happy BirthdayUncle Tim. Thank you for being the greatest Godfather and Uncle, and for babysitting us all the times we needed you to. Claire, Emily & Timmy.

Letter From Grandfather Tim Moran

transcribed by Rody

This letter was written by Grandpa Tim Moran to Peter Moran in 1965 at Peter's request for a family history. What follows is Rosanne's transcription of a photocopy of the original handwritten document.

August 18th, 1965

To My Dear Grandson Peter

Well, I shall begin with my own Parents first.

My grandmother Ann married William Moran and she had a sister who married a man named Fahy and I take it for granted these two ladies maiden names was Coffee. Now my Father William married Ann Mulkinin 1884. Well my Father was the son of the above who had Bros & 4 sisters, one died young, his oldest Bro John married a girl and they had 3 boys and one girl, the boys were William, Timothy, Richard and the Annie the next two bros never married, one was in the army for close on 27 yrs and was invalidded out owing to bad health and died shortly after, he was Richard, he was in the York C Lane Regt. Tim never married and died 1891 and then there was my Father and I was the first child born in 1885. I had 5 bros John who was killed 57 yrs ago this day in the Pit and was never found. Then Richard who married Lizzie Molling in 1913, both now dead, they had one girl Lizzie who is in Cumberland, married to a man named Ly Small. My bro married again Mary Jane Finney, they had 2 sons, Richard and William and 6 daughters, one died young; they all married boys from around Wigan; Agnes married Ted Moore. Mary married McLaughlin. Theresa married a boy from Upholland, Ashcroft. Margaret married a boy named Ashall and Norah is still not married.

Two of my bros died in childhood William, William Henry. Now my bro Tom married C. Jordan, sister to my wife Ann and they had two children, Frank and Winnie and she died in Feb 1926, he married again Julie Moore, they had 3 boys and 2 girls. I think you know their names. Now my Father’s sister, Mary, married a man named M Elgann, she died when I was going to school and left one by named Meisten and he died when he was 17 yrs old. Now Lizzie my Father’s sister married a man named Michael Moran, they had 4 daughters, Annie married Farrell, and the others never married; 3 of them dead and only, Katie alive. Now, my Father’s other sister married P Mahoney and lived for close on 85 yrs; they had son Paddy who died in 1950 and his sister Alice married a man named Gregory. She died about 3 yrs ago. The other two sisters Katie and Lizzie are in America. One married a man named Cook and the other married Veany, both Wigan boys. Veany is dead.  Now Fahy daughter Maggie married a man named Peter Byrne; they had one son who died young and 4 daughters Maggie, Mary, Bridget and Agnes. Maggie never married. Mary married T Hancock. I was the best man that was in 1908. At Our Lady Church A???? Parish. Bridget married J. Fielding in the same church in 1906 and again I was the best man. They had on son Frank, who is now dead and 3 daughters, they are all living in the Wigan district. My Father was born in Wigan about 109 years ago and died in Wigan on 1906. My Mother was born in the Bewsey Parish in Warrington, 102 years ago and died in 1927. She was the daughter of John Mullen the only grandparent I ever remember; he died whilst I was still going to school and I used to go down Wallgate for his 5th Pension he received from the Pit (Gamble?) Moore Colliery. She also had two sisters. Mary who married I never knew either her husband or her and then Jane who married W Barnes they had 3 sons; John died in America, Harry My old school mate who comes to see me will be 79 in Oct. He married Nellie Mack who died young, leaving one boy. He is also dead and a girl living down Poolstock Wigan. Harry also married again to Anne Yates. I don’t know their family. William Barnes died in Manchester. He never married and then dear Sister Annie married a man in Ashton? Janice married Taylor, he also is dead. Maggie married a man named Entchkey???, now my Mothers bro Tom C Michael married but John did not. He died in the hospital at the age of 37 yrs. Tom had a large family, he was a retired Post man in Wigan but died years ago; he has two daughters born Annie & Lizzie. Katie died I believe call his son only Tom and dead J William Joe Fred Kerry Sam died in Wigan. J William Joe in Canada, they married two sisters and lived well over 80 yrs old. Michael married Jane Barnes sister of William who married Michael’s sister Jane so you see bro & sister married bros and sister. They went ou to Australia 79 years ago so the only thing I know about them that they had 10 children and one of them played a Forward in the Possible Probables but he was not selected to come in their Test Team to tour England yrs ago. Now my father in Law Family Joan & Annie both died. Thomas Ann was my wife Annie Parents Father & Mother. They also had Maggie Mother of 4 boys one died young the other she married J Taylor. Their son died yrs ago. 2 other boys married and lived in Wigan and the other ???? Phil. I don’t know where she lives. Mary Lizzie the 3rd sister is in ????????. Nellie lives in Pemberton, married L Sharky who is now dead. Thersa married P McCarthy and have one son John and daughters Margaret and Annie.  The last two are married, Nellie, John is also married. Now myself had a family of 4 sons and 3 daughters namely William, a Christian Bro, Tom, a White Fr. John married Angela Prior living somewhere in Clayton Co. Moor. Tim married J Whitehead the daughter of Jim & Nellie Whitehead, her father is dead and mother still lives in Manchester, and my 3 daughters are all married; one to Joe Smith, the other two married Americans and are now living there. Annie married a man named Bozesky. Betty married a man named Fidel Silva. Annie has about 7 children living and Betty 3 boys and one girl. My wife Annie’s grandparent was John & Bridget Jordan. I knew them both on her Father’s side. Her grandparents on her mother’s side I did not know but they were Joseph Clark. I did not know grandma’s’ first name but I feel sure her maiden was Halpin. They also had a son Pat who never married and I did not know him. I knew 3 of Annie’s aunts. Theresa died last yr 3 yrs old. Kitty died yrs ago. She left one son Jerry and one daughter Lizzie, both married. Lizzie is a widow woman had one son who got drowned in the canal in Inee. Mary never married and died a few yrs ago; one 7 yrs old the other sister Fanny married a man named J Kern both died yrs ago. They left 3, 2 girls and one boy. Joe who lives somewhere in Upholland. Annie went to Manchester, so they said. Theresa is in Blackpool. My father in law  like himself was also killed in the Pits and at Moore Pit (asphill????) And the other at Douglas Bank. Ted was married to Lizzie they had 2 boys Tom & Ted also Mary Jordan the boys are dead. Mary married Ly Cott they have 2 boys George & Michael. George is married and has 2 daughters only one is them is married. Now my father in law’s sister and his last bro Dick who died yrs ago left one boy and one girl. Now Kitty married Leo Bimley who came back from the South African War in 1900. They are dead and left Kitty and Nellie who are living somewhere in Blackburn. Their oldest girl Mary died about 5 yrs ago. Mary I only saw one from America, the other sisters Maggie who married Bob Anders has no children. Annie never married. Nellie married P Mallen, leaving one boy and two girls one of the girls is married and the son is married. Annie is still single.

Now of all my family named Moran only Katie is alive and she was the daughter of M Moran & Lizzie and that’s only 1 daughter and Michael Moran was only my Father’s brother in law. I also have two cousins in America who are the daughters of my Aunt Annie who married P McAvory. I have cousins of my Uncle Tom, two daughters Annie & Lizzie, living in Wigan and I think Tom is still alive in Canada; and my Mother’s Sister Jane Barnes have Harry, Annie, Janie, Maggie and I cannot tell you how many of cousin is still alive. So you see, I have only one of my Father’s left Katie and three of my Mother’s sister Jane left in Wigan; Harry & Jane & Maggie and that is all that is left of the Moran Family my Fathers Mothers and may all R.I.P.

So I think my Dear Grandson Peter, you will find it very nice to read and know(lgsan) dad all the best and I hope you have a very nice Holiday and Poor Shawn and Marie and Joan will look well after my little Grand Daughter Annie.

God Bless You all.

Love You So Much

by Jack

I love you so much grandpa. You are the best. My favorite things to do with you are play with stuffed animals and give you hugs. And I love you a lot.

Many Many Late Nights

by Ruth

I spent many many late nights at Tim's playing  Acey Duecey, and other poker games until the wee hours of the morning.  I won my tickets to America in one of those games.  Life was much easier, and I could stay up late and still make it to work in the morning.  Then we got on a chess game frenzy in which I learned a lot about chess.  I found out that you can loose in just 3 moves.  I lost most of the time,  but it was a lot of fun.  Tim was always a great host.  He had a never ending supply of tea and milk. I can still hear " Tea Rody, tea!" He also had a way with  wood.  We played on a chess board that he had made.  It had two seats on either side of the board stained in dark wood. The board was tiled and opend to hold the chess pieces inside.  It was a beautiful piece and I loved it.  I have not seen anything like it ever since.

Just want to wish you a Very Happy Birthday  You have always been a good friend, and lots of fun. I wish you the best. Love, Ruth. 

A Spitting Image

by Bill

Sometimes I think that we choose our parents. My Dad is the greatest influence in my life.  He comes home from work or play, and if I have had any problem that day, even though I seem fine, the first thing that comes out of his mouth is "what's on your mind?"  After a while of denying any problem, he comes out with a jewel of advice that somehow pertains to the situation exactly. He always has great advice for me. Some of my friends even go to him with their problems.  I remember meeting a little fur ball pup that our neighbor named Bear.  They could not keep the pup so I asked if we could keep him.  My Mother said no, that the dogs paws were too big and he would grow up to be too big for our house.  For two days I cried and cried.  On the third day I came home from school and Dad said someone was waiting for me.  That someone turned out to be Hercules.  Herk had a great life to the end.  One day Dad took Herk to my brother Joe's baseball game.  He sat on a lawn chair in the outfield with Herk tied to his chair. All of a sudden Herk bolted away knocking my Dad on the grass.  Herk dragged him for ten feet or so across the grass until the leash got free and Herk was gone.  Herk came back with a bag of Doritos.  We all wondered where he found the chips.  Our questions were answered when we looked a hundred feet away and noticed a chinese man holding his arm in pain with his picnic destroyed.  One grim day Dad called and said Herk was vomiting everywhere and needed to be put down.  So reluctantly, he took herk away only to come back an hour or two later with a mad expression on his face.  I told him he did everything he could. "He's in the fucking car" Dad said.  Herk lasted a couple of months after that only because my Dad got the medicine Herk needed.  Dad always takes care of his family.  People say sometimes that I'm a spitting image of my father and that makes me very proud.

Oregon Trail

by Tom

One 3/4 pickup truck with a half shell, 6 adults (that's counting a 15 year old - Tim was the elder at 24) 2 toddlers, 1 of them in diapers (God bless Swig), 2 flats, and 10 days on the road between Long Beach and Oregon. "Low bridge!"

Termino Park

by the Kileys

We have known Tim for about 20 years since he moved in next door. Mike and Tim became good friends as we all did in that little area known as Termino Park where all the kids seemed to enjoy playing and all of us sat at the picnic table and enjoyed many hours of talking along with a few beers for Mike and Tim (or ??????). During the years that followed it seemed like we became part of their family and enjoyed many memorable times, such as camping, swimming at the Elks, playing volleyball, barbeques and just enjoyable conversation.

Mike was outside the other night and I heard him laughing. When I asked what was so funny he said he had been thinking of all the neighbors that have lived around us. He started talking about when Tim and Freddie were invited to dinner by a neighbor and his son, and then got left at the old Maxwell's on the Huntington Beach Pier with no money. Tom and Mike went up to the restaurant and got Tim and the neighbor's son. Freddie had already escaped on foot.

Tim was always ready to help with things or take care of our animals if we went on vacation. We will always be great friends with Tim and the entire Silva family! We will all cherish the wonderful memories of the fun times we shared together!

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY!!!!
LOVE, THE KILEYS
(Mike, Monty, Jason, Laura, Bill, Shannon, Carolynn, and Michael)

Tim Radio 7 - John Denver

by Tom

I'd heard the song Country Roads on the radio and kind of thought I knew who John Denver was. Then Tim brought home this album, Farewell Andromeda, and asked me to listen to it.

"Up in a meadow in Jasper Alberta, two men and four ponies on a long lonesome ride."

It sounds horribly cliche, but this album (I think JDs best) significantly altered the course of my life. What I heard was not just a string of songs, but a place. A new place. A place of mile high skies, cold icy nights, a Berkley girl strumming a dulcimer, an Angel from Montgomery, and a world of bright new mornings I was ecstatic to be welcomed to. This album was ground zero for me in transitioning from really appreciating music to actually getting in the game. Within months I'd learned my first 3 chords (thanks Perry) and started finding my own voice, for better or worse. Other influences followed: Jim Croce, Cat Stevens, Seals & Croft, James Taylor, the Eagles, America, & of course John Michael Talbot. I never progressed much past those first 3 chords, but I've played the snot out of them and had a lot of good times in the process. Thanks bro.

Wishing Tim a Most Wonderful

by Joette

Hi Tim, I'm not sure if we are going to make it to the party but I and Cheryl want to wish you a most wonderful 60th!!!

Cheryl and I hope you have a blast on your VERY SPECIAL DAY!!! We always enjoy your company when we get together with you and your family. 

I want you to know that Wes Montgomery's Day In A Life was one of my favorite albums, and I have the CD.  I play it all the time!!!! 

I will be joining the 60'S Club next year, so you won't be alone, LOL!!  You're in our thoughts and prayers my friend.  God Bless You Always, love ya, Joette and Cheryl.

Tim TV - Life of Riley

by Tom

The Life of Riley was already running in afternoon repeats circa 1960. I remember that Tim really liked this show, and I remember thinking as a kid that it was a totally cool show to like. This was probably due to the fact that Tim had to talk me out of my favorite show, Felix the Cat, to watch this one. As I watched this video, all that I could really remember was the main actor, William Bendix, and the opening credits. What I do remember was that I always watched it with my big brother Tim, and that I felt older and cooler watching it with him. Seems to be a pattern.

Life of Riley - Babs School Election Part 1

Life of Riley - Babs School Election Part 2

Life of Riley - Babs School Election Part 3

Tim Radio 6 - Charlie Daniels Band

by Tom

I know that Charlie Daniels already made an appearance near the beginning of this blog in Rody's post, but this song deserves it's own heading. Charlie Daniels giving a rollocking shout out to his fellow southern rockers in Souths Gonna Do It Again. This song was often the sound track for one of those 2 board chess match nights. I can almost hear Tim asking Jay to make another round of tea. I guess you had to be there.

It's All About the Tools

by Jim

Hey dad. As a boy, I remember you giving me tools on my birthdays and at Christmas. In fact, I still have most of them to this day. Beyond that, I remember you spending time with me out in the garage on little projects here and there. Some I’m sure you probably thought up just so we would have something to go get into. Later, as I got older, I got to tag along on a couple brick jobs you were doing. Man, I thought it was the coolest thing to get to go along and ‘help.’

The reason I share these memories is because these days I feel I have become pretty handy. I have you to thank for that. And, more importantly it makes me feel closer to you knowing that those are skills you help develop in me. Thank you for that dad. Make hammer!

Happy Birthday dad.

Celebrity Shout Out

by Tom

Believe It Or Not. The IguanaofLove Blogspot Technical Team was able to obtain one-time only use of the Dharma Initiative's Frozen Donkey Wheel (thanks, John Locke) and with the help of a little "dark matter" and a convenient worm hole, they were able to jump back in time just long enough to obtain this never before seen video of Liverpool's Fab Four sending our Iguana a worthy birthday greeting.

If I Could Give a Gift . . .

by Jack

That Family Feeling

by Yvette

The very first day I met Erin, I realized how great of a man you were without even meeting you. She talked about you all the time. She talked about how you help her with Jack, how she always goes to your house just to spend time with you and how much she is grateful for you.

I came to this country from Hungary 12 years ago and since then I’ve had a son of my own. All of my family is still in Hungary, and with all of Erin's talk about how much you are a part of her and Jack’s lives it made me jealous in a way. It made me want that again. Then one day I went to your house for a BBQ. You welcomed me and my son Drake into your family like we were one of your own and I finally felt that family feeling again. You and Bill have helped me out with Drake when I had no one else to turn to. Being a single parent it gets hard sometimes. And for Drake it’s hard to. It’s really just the two of us. You and your family were brought into my life at the time I needed it most and I am very thankful for that. Drake absolutely loves going to “Grandpa” and “Uncle Bill’s” house. He talks about you guys all the time. Thank you for giving him that sense of “family”.

Yvette and Drake

Tim Radio 5 - Joe Dolce

by Joe

Even his kids got into the sing along! One of my dad's more "cheeky" 45's came upon us kids during the mid 80's I guess. Erin, Bill and myself were brought more than a few hours of entertainment, (and a lifetime memory) from the famous Joe Dolce cut - "Shaddap You Face" from my dads record collection. I think that's what the title was... that's how I remember it anyway. The title and verse doesn't really stick with you . . . since when at the height of the chorus you're "allowed" to scream "AH SHADDAP YOU FACE" to your siblings as you slap them across the cheek!
*sigh, good clean fun.

Love

by Marcella

The first time I met Tim and the rest of the Silva’s was back in the day at Stearns Park when Joe and my brother were on the same team (the worst team in the league and probably all time the Cubs) when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old. When I think of Tim Silva…I think of the word Love...for many different reasons. The main reason I think of Love when I think of Tim is because that is what he has called me for years. I realize that he also calls other people Love too…but for me it just makes me feel special. It’s not always a “hey Marcela”…its “Hello Love!” in the most genuine fashion. I even started calling people that too! But also when I think of Tim I think of Love because he is such a caring and understanding person. He truly is someone that you can talk to and tell anything and he will give you the best advice. I love listening to all his stories and my favorite thing to do is sit and listen to music all night with him and Bill. He has always taking care of “us” (I.e., “all of his kids’ friends”) as if we were his own. He has been there for me more than my own Dad has been and I truly appreciate him as a person and feel lucky to know him and have him in my life. I wish him the best always especially on this special birthday! “Love” ya Tim!

Tim Radio: the Vinyl Years 3 & 4 - Traffic & Cream

by Tom

So I would loiter goofily into Tim & Tony's room singing Daydream Believer with my Mike Nesmith hair swoop mingling with my left eyebrow, and there on that orange table, stacked next to the "stereo" turn table, I would find dangerous looking albums like Cream's Disraeli Gears and Taffic's Mr. Fantasy. This was not the Monkees - but I bet the Monkees wished it was.

Vintage NOT Old

by Evelyn

Happy Birthday Cousin Tim!
I know our parents have been close family since even before I was born and I thought I would put on here a clip of some vintage (notice how I’m not using OLD) photographs and footage from a Ramirez home movie. Look how young our parents look!! I’m not sure who everyone is in the video. I only recognize your parents, my parents, my Aunt Molly and of course Rosanne who looks the same. Your family has been so good to me and I’m really overjoyed to be part of your special birthday celebration.
Enjoy the video and many happy birthday blessings!!
Much love your cousin Evelyn.

The Famous Spires “Pick Me Up”

by Erin

Ok really…. If there ever was a sucker for the “pick me up” machine it’s my Dad. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, all of us parents tell our kids “If you finish your meal I’ll give you a couple of quarters”. Guess who beats us to the chase…finished meal or not… Yep, my Dad. The kids get the quarters no matter what. If they win it’s great! If they lose it’s a cry fest while begging for one more chance because they know this time they’ll win. If one kid wins and the others don’t…. just forget it. But my dad always comes prepared with the magic quarters for the "pick me up. " Maybe that’s why we always end up at Spires for quick family meals together. It’s a conspiracy by the kids. So for Jack, Timmy, Emily, Claire, Julia, Sam and yes even Sarah, this ones for you. And good luck! FYI…Jack spent $8.00 just this past week (in one day) just to win a monkey stuffed animal. LOL.

Tim Video - Tim in the UK

Tim TV - Monty Python's Flying Circus - Dead Parrot

John Cleese and Michael Palin. "This is an ex parrot."

Tim Radio: the Vinyl Years 2 - Wes Montgomery, 'Round Midnight (1965)

by Tom

I remember Tim's Wes Montgomery album with the crushed cigarette butts on the cover. "A Day in the Life." So cool and so not Top 40. Tim played it for me one afternoon, and I remember pretending to get it.




Wes Montgomery - Live in Belgium - 1965

Tim Film Fest - Monty Python & the Holy Grail

Probably the best movie Tim ever led me to. "Look at the bones!"

A Friend But More Like a Brother

by Perry

I've known Tim for many years, being introduced to the Silva family by way of friendship with Tom whom I met in 1st Grade. Tim was just Tom's older brother and because we were so young I didn't really pay attention to Tim early on, but I remember the time when Tom and I had to have been 17 yrs old or so, and Tom went to visit Tim at his apartment in Long Beach. I tagged along. This was when I really got to meet the man who had created the bedroom and the door with all the black light posters and awesome drawings that had amazed me when I first saw them. Since that time I have always felt welcome when I have been with Tim. More like a brother than just a friend. Tim turned me on to all kinds of music that I may have missed otherwise, early John Denver, Arlo Guthrie, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and a host of Southern Rockers. He also taught me how to look at life at times. I was in my mid twenties just divorced and not handling it well, when Tim had thought about moving up to Modesto he asked me if I wanted move as well I was hesitant and he looked at me and gave me words of advice I still remember today. "you don't have anything tying you here and you can be poor anywhere". The move to Modesto never happened but the advice was sound. So many years, so many stories the duplex on Euclid , Poco big happy Dane that wanted to be a lap dog, Volleyball at Stearns Park, all these and more.all time spent with Tim ,his family and good friends. I don't know if I would somehow be different if I had never met Tim , Tom, Rody,and Tony, but I do know my life has been enriched by the friendship we share.

One more story I hope Tim remembers: My dad had some brick work done by Tim and his Dad, (both excellent brick masons.) My younger brother came out of the house to see what they were doing. My mother called out to him to put on play clothes if he was going outside. My embarrassed brother replied,"Mom! I'm 15! I don't wear play clothes!"

Thanks Tim for all the good times gone and all of them to come. Love you like a brother.

Elvira….My Hearts Is On Fire

by Erin

One of my greatest memories with my Dad is standing next to him in the Gremlin with my arm around him (Yes, standing, not sitting with a seat belt on!) singing Elvira by The Oak Ridge Boys. We used to sing it all of the time. I can’t quite remember all the words now but I’m sure I knew them then. Still to this day when I’m riding in the car with him, now all buckled up, I find myself singing that chorus in my head and smiling.

Happy Birthday from Albuquerque

By Rachel

Tim, Happy Birthday!

I don't have a cool story like all of you in Cali, but you are my family and it truly is a blessing to have you in all of our lives. Thank you for keeping in touch. I love the funny and spiritual e-mails. Keep on shining! 

Love, Rachel A. Silva

Barbecues, Mexican Food, Guitar Music & Disneyland

by Bronwyn

Sean is so lucky to have such a great family in Long Beach and he often talked about you, before we ever met, though it was Aunty Annie’s family who visited most summers.

Sean visited you the first time when he was in Santa Monica on work business, and Sherry went over there to pick him up, and Joey wondered if Santa Monica was England. Sean brought home some photos and Joey was so like our Tim at that time – we knew we had to visit.

So in 1984 Sean signed up for a conference in August and Tim and I accompanied him. Tim was so at home – he slept on your sofa one night. And he loved the tree outside.

Barbecues, Mexican food, guitar music, Uncle Fidel, Auntie Betty and all of you cousins with Disneyland thrown in too – Tim was smitten – and we all had the holiday of a lifetime.

Aunty Betty was so pleased to see us and talked a lot about times gone by with her brother Tim.

We have been back many times since, and you have been over too. It was great seeing you again at Sam’s wedding and seeing your four children again – James, Erin, Joey and Billy. It certainly brought back those great days. But we look forward to many more great days ahead. Sean and I are both 60 in 2009 – and looking forward to the bus pass! But if the planes will carry us I am sure that we will be back. Not for your birthday unfortunately – but have a Great Day.

Lots of love

Bronwen, Sean and Timothy.

Rusty S#!*

by Dave Ganoung

Being only a few years behind Tim I relate more to Elvis than IPOD. That being said let me say this is my first blog entry...ever. I met Tim through his sister Rody whom I worked with at the once great McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company. Coors Light, cigs and a VERY laid back personna were my first impressions of Tim, although I'll be dammed if I can remember where we first met. Like all Silva's I've had the pleasure of meeting, Tim is genuine good people with a well grounded understanding of what is important in life.

The gist of my blog here is to illuminate a side of Tim that I didn't see coming. He had been to a party at my pad and noticed my odd collection of rusty stuff I've collected over the years. I have no idea why I collect it and we didn't talk about it. At a later meeting he mentioned he had some "rusty shit"( that's how he said it) I might like and we arranged for me to stop by after work. Well, I couldn't believe Tim's generosity in what he gave me that afternoon. Gee wizz, there was an old rusty anchor, an old rusty plow, a couple of rusty metal wheels, a rusty rack of some sort and I think some other stuff but my memory is a bit...rusty. Some of you reading this might think ol' Tim simply just unloaded a bunch of junk and maybe he did but he knew I'd be stoked with his gift and he was right.

I still have all his contributions scattered about my yard and think of him sometimes when I look at my magnificent collection and always think of him when I sometimes kick that anchor with my bare foot. It was a thoughtful gift from one man to another early in a friendship I plan to keep forever. On a side note, I also have a very mean caged iguana, Dos Iggy, that keeps a nasty, slitted eye on all my rust. Not sure if that's a coincidence or not.

Happy Birthday Iguana Tim, To Your Health!

Tim Radio: the Vinyl Years 1 - Canned Heat, Going Up the Country

by Tom

Aaahhhh - vinyl LPs. Bendable, meltable, scratchable, breakable. Cover art and liner notes you could read without a magnifying glass. And sometimes, with luck, the album itself would slide out wrapped in a colored sleeve plastered with even more photos and stories. Tim's collection leaned toward the edgier FM Radio sound. The sixties were morphing into the seventies, and blues, folk, country and rock were all churning in the same blender. Tim's growing collection was kept pristinely and alphabetically stacked. Pre "video" music that didn't just live inside your head, it fed your head. And sometimes it ate it.

Tim - My Meticulous, Psychodelic, Hilarious, Musical & (unfortunately) Fast Big (but not oldest) Brother

By Rody

Tim was the big brother who was a little bit closer to my age, so even though he was way older, he wasn't the oldest! Tim was always helpful and easy to talk to as a kid, and he was fun to be around. He knew the best jokes, would play with us and share things with us. Tim always had an awesome record collection and he liked to have you listen to songs with him. I remember once when he got new stereo headphones, he called me into his room to listen to a song. He put them on my head and started the turntable. Suddenly I could hear this man's voice saying over and over "number 9, number 9, number 9" and it was going back and forth right through my head! It was really cool!

Tim was always ahead of the curve with his taste in music. He would play a song for me and months later I'd start hearing it on the radio. Tim introduced me to so much music throughout my life, but some of the favorites I remember were the Eagles, Charlie Daniels, and of course, the Marshalll Tucker Band!

I knew better than to mess with Tim's stuff too! He was meticulous about his things but especially about his wardrobe. He used to iron his own clothes and get them ready the night before school. He'd have the shirt and pants hanging up side by side, all ready for the next day. Unfortunately, sometimes he'd wake up to find his ready-to-wear outfit had already walked out the door! It wasn't much of a mystery how they walked off and Tim would get so mad! (Find photo of clothes thief here.)

Tim could be stubborn too. I remember that if I did something he didn't appreciate me doing, he would tackle me and punch me just enough to make his point! Once, I did something that made him mad (I can't remember exactly what it was) and he started out after me. I tried to outrun him. I ran all over the house, through the front yard, through the neighborhood, around the block, as far as I could run but he was right behind me. He never let up. He chased me down until I just could not run any more. Finally I headed for home and collapsed in the backyard, out of breath and knowing what was coming! I found out recently that Tom has those very same memories!

During his High School years, he fixed up his bedroom really cool. My friends and I loved to hang out there. Tim was always a collector and he had hip, unique stuff like cool albums and 45's, bright colored posters, and some occasional paraphernalia. There was a huge black light strategically placed in just the right spot for maximum enhancement of the whole space. Almost everything in the room was painted with bright fluorescent colors but the most amazing part of the whole room was the bedroom door. It was in the corner of the room and once inside, you just had to keep it closed so as not to miss that spectacular view. It was the best part! The whole door was filled in from top to bottom with a maze and collage of psychedelic fluorescent pictures. The abstract pics were designed and painted exclusively by Tim but after a while he let others draw a little bit. It originally started out as one tiny picture that grew from around the doorknob until it filled every space. It looked spectacular in the dark. One night some friends and I came home from the beach and decided to hang out in there. As soon as we got settled and shut off the light we turned on the infamous black light, anxious to begin enjoying the full effect and instantly the colors came to life! The purple tinge of the black light made the whites of our eyes brighter and our bodies amazingly tan. But then suddenly we also noticed something really weird. We were glowing with bright fluorescent blotches all over our bodies! It had been a red tide, which left phosphorescent microscopic sea life all over us! I'd never seen anything like it!

Thanks Tim for always being there, for sharing yourself and your wonderful life and that awesome room. I love you! Happy 60th!

Birthday!!! Let's hear some music.

The Eagles


Charlie Daniels Band


Marshall Tucker Band

The Iguana Turns 30 - Again . . .

The Iguana will be blowing out Sixty candles this September. Sixty! 6 - 0! Tim! The Iguana of Love! Our Tim! The Laker loving, Limbaugh listening, country music humming, novel reading, volleyball bumping, barbeque grilling, chess playing, internet surfing, story telling, laugh inducing, philosphizing, theologizing, woodworking, bricklaying, Jack watching, brother, son, dad, uncle, grandpa, friend and neighbor is turning Sixty!
Sixty! That's a significant number of birthdays. Somewhere, someone has been singing Happy Birthday to Tim from the dawn of television to the dawn of the world wide web, from the reign of the king and the British Invasion, to the IPOD generation, from the happy days through the summer of love, the Me-80s, and the grunge 90s to the E-Life of the new Millenium. Each of us has shared some of that time with Tim. We know who we are, and we know how fortunate we have been to have had Tim in our lives during any part of this amazing ride. Think about it. Remember.
This blog has been created as a vehicle for you to document some of those moments, those stories, to collect all of your "Tim Tales" and to share them with Tim and the rest of the world, as we celebrate sixty amazing years. Sixty years of stories and photos. And you know he's just getting started!
Email your Tim Tales to olr.dad@gmail.com for posting on this blog. Let's fill these pages up. Heck. They're free.
PS. Photos & videos are cool too.