In loving memory of Silvin Chiarizia - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

Silvin “Si” August Chiarizia of Edgewater, Fla., passed away surrounded by his loving family on Friday, April 28, 2023. He was 72.

Si was born in Cheverly, Md., to Robert and Jane Chiarizia on September 9, 1950. He graduated from Crossland High School in 1969 and had a long and gratifying career as an HVAC mechanic and teacher that provided many long and detailed stories for his family. He absolutely loved his work, and he did it with integrity. He mentored a younger generation to value precision, hard work, and service.

You can say some ordinary things about Si: He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend. What made him stand apart, however, was not only his size, blue eyes, and thick hair, but his beautiful crooked smile, deep thinking, devotion to those he loved, and big, generous heart.

As a father, Si was in love with his children. He was imperfect and authentic, and developed into that guy who made himself available for anything his kids needed, whether fixing something, offering advice, or an impromptu jam session. He came naturally to the role of grandfather, donning a tutu and playing silly games, ever balancing sheer fun with teachable moments. As a husband he was passionate, caring, messy, and fun. Of his wife, Barbara, he often said that she was the center of his world and the “best thing that ever happened to me. I’m a blessed man.” He enjoyed good music, good wine, fishing, traveling, and open water.

He is survived by his soul mate and wife, Barbara Chiarizia, of Edgewater, Fla.; three children, Dianna Parks of Rochester, Minn., Tina Unrue (Michael) of Stafford, Va., and Tony Chiarizia (Kimberly) of Fredericksburg, Va.; five granddaughters and four great-grandchildren; three siblings, Robert Chiarizia, Jr., John Chiarizia, and Margaret Galpern; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Jane Chiarizia and Robert Chiarizia, Sr., son “Nicky,” and brother Thomas “Tommy” Chiarizia.

His family is certain that Si would want to be remembered for the lessons he taught directly and indirectly. He was transparent in his love and his regrets. He leaves a legacy of decency, dependability, joy for life, commitment to family, humility, and continuous exploration of life, faith, and the cosmos. He often said, “God’s timing is perfect,” leaving his family to trust those words at a time when the timing seems way too early.

The first celebration of life will occur at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Va. on June 2, 2023 at 11:00am, with reception immediately following. A private interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton, Md., at a later date. A second celebration of life will occur at Good Earth Village in Spring Valley, Minn. on July 1, 2023 at 2:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be directed to Good Earth Village, 25303 Old Town Drive, Spring Valley, MN 55975; www.goodearthvillage.org.