Silt Heyday 42nd Grand Marshalls
May 5, 2010
"Ferguson Crossing Remembered" is the theme for the 42nd annual Silt Heyday which will be held on Saturday, July 30th at the Veteran's Memorial Park. We will be celebrating our history over the next 4 years working up to our centennial in 2015. Our Grand Marshalls will be Eugene & Joe Diaz and their families. Both of these families have played a part of our history.
2011 Silt Heyday Grand Marshalls
Joe Diaz
Joe was born to Dionesio and Petra Tovar Diaz on November 26, 1919 in Chihuahua, Mexico. Joe was 6 months old when his family came to Pueblo, Colorado. Their family later moved to Delta, but the final stop was Silt, where Joe attended school in Peach Valley School and Silt.
Joe worked in the sugar fileds, picked potatoes and later worked in the local feed store. Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army in May of 1942. He trained in various camps across the United States. He was sent to England and assigned to the 3rd Armored Division where he specialized as a Radio Tender. He left England and served at Omaha Beach, Normandy Beach, France, Germany and Belgium.
He received his U.S. Citizenship papers while still in Paris on February 26th of 1945. Upon his return home, he married Margaret Fernandez on January 5th of 1946.
Joe is a charter member of the Silt Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Of the charter members, Joe, his brother, Ted Diaz, and friend Albino Ruiz are the surviving charter members. Margaret Diaz is a Charter Member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW.
Joe and Margaret have three sons, J.D., Anthony and Robert. J.D. and Anthony are Navy Veterans of the Vietnam War. One grandson, Mike is also a Navy Veteran. They also have 2 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, 10 great-grand children and one great-great-grandson all of whom they love very much.
Joe's hobbies have included photography, cameras, fishing, hunting, camping and hiking. He enjoyed playing on and managing the town of Silt softball team. He and Margaret are currently members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Silt.
Eugene J. Diaz
Eugene (Gene) was born on November 15, 1929 to Dionesio and Petra (Tovar) Diaz in Delta, Colorado. When he was two years old, his family moved to Peach Valley. He attended school in Peach Valley and when his family moved to Silt, he attended Silt Union High School.
Gene worked in the sugar beet fields, picked potatoes and worked as a farm hand at numerous ranches on Silt Mesa. He worked for the railroad out of Silt and Glenwood Springs. Gene was then employed by Garfield County on April 5, 1948 and worked in the Road and Bridge department until his retirement 43 years and 6 months later on November 29, 1991.
Gene married Eva Fernandez on June 21, 1948. They have 3 sons, Dennis, married to Yvonne, David, married to Dian, and Daniel, married to Laurie. Gene and Eva have eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way. All three sons served in the military. Dennis retired from the Air Force after 25 years and David and Daniel both served in the Navy. Gene played softball and basketball for the town of Silt back when there were "town teams". He was a member of the volunteer fire department, served one term as a town council member, and in April 1972 was elected to a four year term as Mayor of Silt.
Gene's hobbies include fishing, hunting, gardening, and enjoying time with his grandkids.
