"Denny and I are so very sorry for your family. There are no words that can even cover what you are feeling. Luke was a beautiful boy and will never be forgotten. Denny and Donna Starts"
In loving memory of
Luke Daniel Silvestre
January 8, 2009 - January 2, 2021
Luke Daniel Silvestre, of Runnemede, age 11, lost his battle with cancer on January 2,2021.
He was a true warrior, and our hero. A loving child that enjoyed life, and a smile that lit up a room. Beloved son of Tony and Deana (nee Downey). Loving brother of JT (John Anthony) and Sofia. Cherished grandson of Phyllis Downey and the late J. Michael Downey and Aida Silvestre. Dear nephew of Danielle and Dave Mazzilli and their children David and Gianna; Michael and Sarah Downey and their children Michael, Jack and Brooklyn; Annette Downey and Scott Schwabe; Antonio and Esmeralda Silvestre. Cousin of Andrew and Irene Silvestre and their son Mason; second cousin of Armando Louro, along with Paula and Joe DaSilva. Also survived by his great aunt Annette Orsini and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, family and friends.
Luke was a passionate Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He was a sixth grader at Mary E. Volz School. He was an athlete and member of RYAA baseball and basketball, GTHA ball hockey, and GT flag football. He was also recognized by the Bellmawr Purple Eagles.
There will be a visitation from 4pm-9pm Sunday, January 10 at Gardner Funeral Home, Runnemede. Mass 11am Monday, January 11 at Our Lady of Hope Parish, St. Agnes RC Church, 701 Little Gloucester Rd. Blackwood, NJ. Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Luke's memory to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, PO Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178 or Samaritan Gift Processing Center PO Box 71425, Philadelphia, PA 19176, or Melanoma Research Foundation, PO Box 759329, Baltimore, MD 21275-9329.
Tributes
"Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Luke will forever be in our hearts. Maureen & Fred Sollena"
"No amount of words can express the pain that you are going through. We are so sorry for your loss. Me and my family will be praying for you.The Vojtecky Family."
"Prayers and our deepest sympathies from the Gallo family. Luke was a hero and a true inspiration. We are better people for knowing him. He will be missed at GTHA rinks. Continuous prayers for the Silvestre family. Luke will NEVER be forgotten. "
"Prayers from the Brodzik family (Jim, Barb Brad, Owen and Aaron) for Tony, Deana , JT, and Sofia. We knew Luke from GTHA hockey and are so saddened to learn of his passing. This young man was as tough as nails, and if more children embraced the qualities and kindness he possesed, the world would stand a chance at recovering from the way it operates currently. Rest easy sweet boy, you will ALWAYS be thought of and you did great things for your life in the short amount of time you were given. The world remains a better place because you were part of it. #Lukestrong#9."
"God bless your brave soul Luke "
"Happy heavenly birthday Luke. Praying you are at peace and up there watching over all of us. Sending all our love to your family left down here. ?"
"Happy Birthday in heaven Lukie. I miss you soooo much ??????"
"I can't express fully how sad Luke's passing is. I wish you nothing but godspeed and fond wishes as you try to comprehend and process this loss. Doug and Kim Fisher"
"You can fly away with Jesus. Your family and friends will miss your smile ? Happy Birthday ?."
"No words can express how sorry I am for the loss of your son Luke. His courage and grace through his illness is inspiring and I pray this comforts you in the days ahead. Rest In Peace dear boy. Love and prayers to your family "
"We were so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. Please know we are praying for you and your family."
"Luke is Runnemede?s warrior who stoled our hearts. His bright smile will forever be with us. We are deeply sorry for the loss of Luke and pray that he brings smiles to your heart with all the happy memories he left behind and peace knowing he is in God?s hands. Mayor Nick Kappatos and Runnemede Council."
"They are no words to express how sorry I am for the loos of your son! May he rest in piece! "
"You do not know me but I wanted to share my heartfelt condolences to your family. I am so very sorry for your loss and pray that you can find some peace in knowing that your son is safe in the arms of God. May he rest in peace surrounded by angels."
"My condolences on your loss. It saddens me to hear that Luke lost his battle with cancer but I'm assured he's in a peaceful place now. When I would see him, he would always have a smile on his face. He was a happy child. We always talked about sports. I knew no one at his age who was so educated and knowledgeable about sports. He knew more than I did! I would love to attend the services but due to the pandemic I can't. With prayers you will be strong. George "
"Prayers and strength for the Silvestre family to get through this difficult time!! We hope you can find comfort in knowing Luke is at peace and out of pain. Rest easy Luke .
#lukestrong#9"
"Lost for words of consolation, but not Prayers, for Luke and his Family. God Will Bless and Guide you through this difficult time. Bill Sonsini"
"Tony and family- Our deepest condolences of the loss of your son. Prayers and healing to all of you during this most difficult time. From your old neighbors on Read Ave.. Dana, Michael and Mike Nardone "
"Luke?s enthusiasm and joy will be missed. He was always willing to be a friend and had such a positive spirit!"
"So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for the Silvestri family."
"I?ll never forget the countless baseball and hockey games where Luke stuck by my side; all the catches and games of tag that we shared. Luke will always be dear to me, he was such a bright soul that put a smile on my face every time I saw him. "
"Thoughts and prayers with you all. He is smiling down on all of us. I will always remember him running through daycare with that huge smile!!! Rest in peace sweet boy."
"My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. May the thought that he is out of pain and not suffering help you though this awful time. "
"My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have had Luke in thought and prayers since the summer I first me him @ OLOH SonSeekers classes. May you find peace in the Lord knowing that Luke is safe at Home without pain and suffering. God bless you. Eileen Toroni "
"My deepest sympathy to the entire family. My prayers go out for you all. May his little soul RIP and may the Lord Bless you all. Love ya Evelyn "
"So sorry for the loss of your beautiful son fly high little wing God bless you all"
"So sorry for your loss. Many prayers are sent to the family at this difficult time. "
"Our deepest sympathy for your precious loss.May rest in peace his internal life. Jo Ann &Sonny"
"Our deepest and sincere condolences. May your beautiful son fly high with the angels and spread his wings. With love- the Santillo family. "
"Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We pray for you to have strength and to be surrounded with love and light. "
"We are so very sorry. Our prayers are with everyone that this young boy touched. May he Rest In Peace. The Pisani family. "
"Words cannot describe how much of a loss this is. I'll remember Luke as a go getter...no nonsense kind of kid! He was the well rounded student you always hope to have in a classroom. He was a friend to all ....stood up for what was right..strong-willed.... competitive.. and never stepped down when tough times were thrown his way (even if it was a game in gym)! I will always remember him and Sofia hugging in Mrs. V's class celebrating his last round of treatment. Sofia cried and shrugged her shoulders with a look like... 'I don't know why I'm crying he should be!' The bond they had is immeasurable and I hope that you all know we are here to help Sofia and JT through this awful time. Love you Silvestres ?? #lukestrong will forever hold a place in my heart. "
"Although we never met Luke we knew from Annette what a wonderful boy he was. We prayed for Luke. And now we pray for peace and strength for the family. With our deepest sympathy.
Yvonne & Joe Corbi"
"Our sincere condolences to the Silvestre and Downey Families. Sincerely, The Sheehan Family"
"No amount of words can express the pain that you are going through. We are so sorry for your loss. "
"To the silvestre family. My deepest condolences. Me and my family will be praying for you. John Jester"
"True warrior. Look down upon your family and give them strength and may you rest in peace. You will be missed by many! Sincere condolences to the family. "
"THERE ARE NO WORDS TO EXPRESS HOW SORRY WE WERE TO HEAR ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR SON LUKE SOUNDED LIKE HAPPY CHILD WHO LIVED A FULL LIFE IN THE SHORT TIME HE WAS HERE. MAY GOD COMFORT YOU IN THE DIFFICULT DAYS AHEAD. YOU NOW HAVE A SPECIAL GUARDIAN ANGEL WATCHING OVER YOUR FAMILY GOD BLESS ELAINE AND MICHAEL CARRERO"
"Our Deepest Condolences
Tony & Beverly Trongone"