Fernando Silva graduated in 1943 in Economics. He was a native of San Leandro, and a member of the Sodality, Kappa Alpha Phi, Scabbard and Blade, Circle Block, and the ROTC.
Silva was born and raised in San Leandro. He attended St. Leander’s Elementary School and St. Joseph’s High School in Alameda. With the declaration of World War II, he accelerated his studies at USF and graduated in three years to join the Army, and served as an officer with the 11th Airborne in the Pacific. He was stationed in Japan during the occupation and upon returning home, began a life long career in the automobile business. He became a car salesman working first for Uptown Motors in Oakland. In 1949, he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. After his second homecoming, Ferd returned to selling cars at Bob Philippi Lincoln-Mercury in Oakland and at Ed Chovanes Ford in San Leandro. His sales career coincided with his membership in the Automobile Salesman’s Union, an affiliate of the Retail Clerks. He was elected to the Board of Trustees and ultimately left car sales in 1968 to become a full time official of the union. He was elected president of Local 1095 and remained in that position until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the Peralta Power Squadron and served as the Secretary-Treasurer then Commander in 1980 (EastBayTimes).
