John Kenneth Silver

John Kenneth Silver passed away in his Santa Fe home on the morning of September 9th.Born on July 30, 1952 to Abe Silver Jr. and Marian Petchesky Silver, John was a fourth generation Santa Fean who proudly shared his family’s commitment to community service.After attending Wood Gormley Elementary and Santa Fe High School, John graduated from Colorado College in 1974 and went on to earn his law degree at the University of New Mexico. He practiced at several law firms before starting his own in his family’s building on the Santa Fe Plaza, where he helped clients for over 30 years with law partner Joe McClaugherty.John’s lifelong love of sports was cultivated at a young age. He became the first tennis professional at the Sangre de Cristo Racquet Club, where he continued to play and compete for the rest of his life. Along with being a goaltender for the Colorado College Tigers, he was a decorated member of the university’s tennis team. He also imparted his love of the sport onto his children, Thomas and Johanna, early on and continued to coach them throughout their years at Santa Fe High School. John’s passion for tennis led to countless friendships and adventures spanning from Florence to the West Indies.John showed as much devotion to philanthropy and service as he did his tennis game. Among the inexhaustible contributions to his community, John worked with Santa Fe Children’s Museum, the Museum of New Mexico Foundation, the Santa Fe Festival Theater, and the Richardson Center for Global Engagement. He created the St. Vincent Hospital Foundation, with proceeds from the popular tennis tournament he organized with his pro football player clients. As its Executive Director, John helmed the Allene and Jerome Lapides Foundation, giving numerous charitable donations toward animal welfare, youth development, and the environment. This led to a close friendship with primatologist Jane Goodall, whose many missions he helped advance over the years. With the help of friend and colleague David Douglas, John also garnered bipartisan support for the Great American Outdoors Act, a landmark piece of legislation benefiting national parks and public land.Always eager to explore new interests and share them with loved ones, John dabbled in everything from fine art to fly fishing. He performed and helped stage ballet performances with Gloria, his beloved wife of 37 years, grew ribbon-winning turban squash, backed band members on the tambourine, and traveled around the world. He also had a famous fervor for wine and spirits, which he shared with other “wine snobs” and fellow members of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin.Above all of his contributions and accomplishments, loved ones will remember John for who he was. A loving husband, father, and friend. A problem solver who was of service to anyone who needed him. A charismatic epicurean who celebrated good food, wine, and company. A generous benefactor who wanted to make the world better for everyone. A brilliant Springsteen-blasting, bourbon-loving athlete, attorney, and Santa Fe fixture. A man with unlimited energy for the people he loved. An incredible individual who made the lives of those who knew him rich, rewarding, and sweet. John is survived by mother Marian Silver, wife Gloria Silver, children Thomas and Johanna Silver, sisters Carolyn Silver and Margaret Silver Jones, niece Alyson Silver Jones and her fiancé Max Hendrix. Event plans honoring John’s memory are pending, however his family hopes that everyone who knew him will join them in recalling his incredible legacy via the link below.