
He was 50.
Silva’s wife, Lorraine, said he was surrounded by family when he died at about 9:40 p.m. Monday at his home.
Silva was a two-term mayor of Deming, from March 2006 through last month, and served as pastor of Living Word Family Church.
His daughter, Trinity, said her father also was a businessman who had a variety of business and real estate interests.
Deming City Administrator Rick McInturff said they were saddened to hear of Silva’s passing.
McInturff said Silva was a man of the community and served the people spiritually and thru his public office. McInturff credited Silva’s astute business sense in helping lead the city through the “Great Economic Recession of 2008.”
He also said the city made significant advances in public safety as well as improvements to public and utility infrastructure under Silva’s mayoral leadership.
McInturff added that Mayor Silva had genuine concern for the youth of Deming, which showed in his support for after-school programs, his founding of the youth council and his counseling of many teens in the community.
City flags are being flown at half-mast Tuesday to honor Silva and his family.
Services will be held Saturday at the Mimbres Valley Special Events Center.