To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice in the eternal peace he has found.
Obituary
ALife Well Lived
John Olabiyi Silva, fondly known as Biyi or Silvo by his friends and classmates, was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and respected member of many communities in Lagos. He passed away peacefully on August 29, 2025, at the age of 72. Born on January 22, 1953, John lived a remarkable life full of faith, joy, and service, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, laughter, and love that will forever endure.
John’s educational journey began at St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos, where he was admitted in 1966. Among his peers, he quickly became known for his warm, sociable, and gregarious spirit. His classmates fondly recall his memorable outings to the Island Club with his uncle, the Late Dr. Oluyomi MacGregor (The Onipopo of PopoAguda, Pavilion). These experiences shaped his lifelong outlook as easy-going, approachable, and full of life.
A man of deep devotion to his family, John was the loving husband of Stella Adeyanju Silva (nee Williams), the committed father of Michael Abiodun Silva, a proud grandfather, and a cherished big brother to both the Silva and MacGregor families. His family was the cornerstone of his life, and he cherished his roles as husband, father, brother, and grandfather above all else.
John was admired not only for his compassion and generosity but also for his humor and charm. He had a gift for making those around him feel valued and uplifted, and he was truly the life of the party. His classmates, colleagues, community, and church members alike remember him as warm-hearted, loyal, and ever-ready with a smile or a kind word.
His passing came as a shock to his family and friends, but their consolation rests in the knowledge that he has gone to a better place. His spirit lives on in the countless lives he touched and in the enduring legacy of love and laughter he leaves behind.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate John’s life and legacy at a wake keeping on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, followed by a funeral service on Thursday, September 11, 2025, both to be held in Lagos. These gatherings will honor his memory and reflect on the profound impact he had on all who knew him.
John Olabiyi Silva will be dearly missed but never forgotten. His soul now rests in eternal peace, and his light continues to shine in the hearts of those he loved.
“Baba oni baba, rest well. Bye for now.”
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It's saddens me deeply that you are no longer here 💔 but I will always take solace in your hearty laughs and the jokes we always shared.
You have taught me to always look towards the positive in life and always go for enjoyment. I will always fondly remember you as a great man and for your exceptional legacy that will live on.
It's your time to rest and rest peacefully. We love you so so much till we see again, bye for now.
Farewell to an uncle who has been part of my life from the very beginning.
Farewell to the MacGregor clan’s honorary “last born.”
Farewell to an uncle who has been a quiet support to me, my mom and my siblings .
Farewell, Uncle B.
Busola Akinsola (née MacGregor)
JOHN OLABIYI SILVA (SILVO)
We first met Biyi, (Silvo)as he was fondly known by his Greg's 66- 70
classmates when we all resumed as young innocent lads into St.
Gregory's College, Ikoyi, Lagos, in 1966.His Admission Number was
2794. He immediately became popular as a sociable and Gregarious
Gregorian regaling us repeatedly about his exploits,at the Island Club
with his uncle, the Late Dr.Oluyomi MacGregor (The Onipopo of
PopoAguda, Pavilion). His popular cliché "Me and my Uncle" we
went to Island club. These visits, no doubt, played a part in shaping
his outlook to life as easy going, sociable, friendly and always with a
warm smile.
When we first received calls that he was ill, in the usual caring
tradition of the Greg's 66-70 wesent two of our members to go and
make an assessment visit and also encourage him.It therefore came as
a shock that he had been readmitted and passed on shortly thereafter.
But as we all know, in the final analysis, it's the Good Lord that heals;
try as much as the Doctors can.
Our consolation is that Silvo has gone to his rest, and is in a much
better place. We will miss Biyi dearly, and pray that his soul
continues to rest in peace and may light perpetual continue to shine
on him.
We also pray that the Good Lord will give his family the fortitude to
bear the loss.
Francis OluwoleKudayah
President,
St. Gregory's College Old Boys Association.
(For and on behalf of Greg's 66- 70 Association)
As the last born of the family, I was blessed to be showered with love by everyone, and my brother was no exception. From my earliest years, I looked up to him with admiration.
Uncle B (as he was fondly called) was my mum’s first child, and though life’s circumstances gave us different surnames - he a Silva, and I a Williams - we shared the same roots and the same love of family.
Like many siblings, our paths took different directions, and for a time we were apart. But I am grateful that in recent years, we found our way back to each other. That reconciliation gave us the chance to share moments of care, support, and brotherhood once again.
Though his journey was not without struggles, what matters most is that he was loved deeply by us, his siblings, and will always be remembered as part of the bond that ties our family together.
May his soul rest in peace, and may the memories of him remain a blessing to all who knew him.
Your brother,
Michael Williams
We thank God for his life and the legacy he has left, which will live on.
On behalf of the
Addo Family.
The last thing you said to me, when I asked how you were feeling, was: “I’m getting there.” That was you, always looking on the positive side of things, no matter the situation. You were the life of the party, a man full of energy, kindness, and love.
You were a wonderful dad/grandad and your presence will never be forgotten.
“Baba oni baba, rest well. Bye for now.”
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