Joseph Anthony Silvestri

Joseph Anthony Silvestri, 99, passed peacefully on the morning of December 12th, 2019 surrounded by his immediate family.  Joe was born March 4th, 1920 on a small farm in Black Diamond, WA.  He was the fifth of six children born to Carlo and Clotilde Silvestri, both immigrants from the Emila-Romagna Province of Italy.  A graduate of Enumclaw High School, Joe worked as a steam logger, truck driver and ship yard welder before being drafted into the army.  He attended the University of Florida in Gainsville as a cadet in the US Air Corps for a short period amidst WWII.  On August 21, 1943 in South Carolina, he married his wife of 76 years, Nadine Kombol of Hiawatha, WA.  Joe served a total of 3 years in the Army and Air Corps in both the European and Pacific theaters.  Returning home to his wife and first son, Dan, Joe built their family home in Kent, WA where their second son, Lanny and daughter, Cheryl would join the family.  He began his career as a Highway Engineer with WSDOT where he worked for 28 years.  Joe also was a volunteer fireman in District 37 in Kent for 25 years.  After retiring, Joe and Nadine enjoyed travelling, were active in the Black Diamond chapter of Sons of Italy, and motor homed with both family and their Rolling Romans club.  In his own words, he appreciated having a full long life enjoying his family, helping them, helping his sons in their business and living a life of love and mutual help. 

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; siblings; his wife, Nadine; and son, Danny.  He is survived by his son, Lanny Silvestri (Billie); daughter, Cheryl Beck (Gerry); daughter-in-law, Becky Silvestri; granddaughters Angie Casper (Steve) and Jennifer Timme (Dave); great-grandchildren Dean Casper, Alex and Lexie Timme; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 25th at St. Barbara Church in Black Diamond, with a reception to follow.  In lieu of flowers, the family would ask for donations to be made to Seattle Children’s Hospital in Joe’s name.

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