Rafael “Ralph” Silva

March 2, 1945 – October 8, 2025

The world has lost some of its music, as Rafael “Ralph” Silva — husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend — went home to heaven at the age of 80 on October 8, 2025.

Ralph was born on March 2, 1945, the youngest of three children born to Victoria and Pedro Silva, both of whom preceded him in death. He grew up surrounded by family and faith, a proud son of El Paso, Texas, who would remain deeply rooted in this city all his life. He graduated from Burges High School in 1964, where his gentle humor and hardworking nature were already taking shape. Even as a teenager, Ralph began working to help support his family, keeping only enough of his paycheck to cover the cost of gas while giving the rest to his mother. That spirit of generosity never left him.

After high school, Ralph joined the National Guard, proudly serving for six years. He later began a long and steady career with Phelps Dodge, where he held many roles before retiring from the chemistry lab.

Ralph met CarmenRico, the woman who would become his best friend and his heart’s devotion, when a mutual friend arranged a blind date at Carlos & Mickey’s. Carmen was immediately taken by his kindness and good looks — “like a young Robert De Niro.” He was the quiet one; she was talkative. He made her laugh, and she loved to listen to him play the piano.They were a perfect fit.

Ralph and Carmen were married on June 17, 1989 — the beginning of a beautiful marriage that would last 36 years. Self-taught as a child, Ralph could play piano by ear, and hedeeply loved to play for his “sweetie,” filling their home with the music of Luis Miguel, Juan Gabriel, and other romantic favorites.

Ralph was, at heart, a joyful collector of life’s small treasures. He found wonder everywhere — at Goodwill, where he’d delight in uncovering “finds” that sometimes, via Carmen or the kids, made a round trip back to the store; in his books of every topic and genre; in his backyard, where his turtles burrowed happily under his care; and in the flutter of hummingbirds drawn to the red and pink flowers he lovingly tended. He had a childlike curiosity, a knack for fixing everything, and an endless supply of stories and corny jokes to keep everyone laughing … or groaning.

Though Ralph was a man of many interests — music, reading, tinkering, collecting — his greatest passion was always his family. He was the proud father of Adriana Silva, Mark Silva, Vanessa (Carlos) Gomez, Aaron Ingle, and Debra (Nicholas) Ingle-Muñoz, and the loving grandfather of Christopher Gomez,Alexander Ingle (†), Madison Ingle, Alessandra Muñoz, and Gianella Muñoz. His family was his life’s greatest joy, and every note he played, every joke he told, and every kindness he gave was, in some way, for them.

Ralph is also survived by his beloved wife, Carmen; his brother, Francisco “Frank” Silva; his nieces and nephews: Noemi “Mimi” Silva, Magda Yvetta Silva, Yolanda Silva, George Shaw, and Georgette Shaw; his brother- and sister-in-law, Hector and Grace Rico, and their daughters, Haley, Carlin, and Kelcie. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dolores Shaw, and by his sister-in-law, Yolanda Silva.

A lifelong Catholic and member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, Ralph lived his faith quietly but profoundly — in patience, in kindness, and in love. In his final days, he was cared for tenderly by Sarita Flores, Liz Reyes, and Rosy Gonzalez, with special gratitude going to the hospice team, particularly Leo and Omar, for their compassion and grace.

Visitation for Ralph will be held Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m., at San Jose Funeral Home-East, 10950 Pellicano Dr., El Paso, TX 79935.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, October 17, 2025, at 10 a.m. at San Antonio Catholic Church, 503 Hunter Dr., El Paso, TX 79907.Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery, 401 S. Zaragoza Rd., El Paso, TX 79907.

The piano may be silent now, but the music and the love that Ralph filled our lives with will echo in our hearts forever.