A legend in swimming, Coach Charles E. “Red” Silvia died in his home in Springfield, MA on June 16, 1998. He was 87.
“Red Silvia was a coaches coach. In the 1970’s, there were 700 college coaches in the United States and more than half of them were Silvia’s college swimmers. Red was ahead of his time,” said Dr. Samuel James Freas, CEO/President of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. “He served as our 4th president and was a true inspiration to coaches as he turned a neophyte swimmer (1953-1956) into an Olympic champion when Bill Yorzyk won the 200m butterfly at the 1956 Olympic Games.”
In 1976 Silvia was selected for induction as honor contributor/coach into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Coach Silvia is survived by two daughters, Jane and Susan. Memorial contributions may be sent to:
Charles E. Silvia Memorial Fund
c/o Daniel M. Kelly, Esq, Trustee
1391 Main St.,
Springfield, MA 01003