Silvestre Duran, Sr.

Silvestre Durán, Sr.,90, Northwest Ohio Latino radio program icon and long-time Latino community advocate, of Toledo, Ohio died of Covid 19 on Thursday, July 23, 2020. He was born in Crystal City, Texas on November 13, 1929. In 1953 Silvestre married Emily Cantu, in Swanton, Ohio at St. Richard’s Catholic Church. Silvestre worked at the Jeep plant (formerly Willys Overland) before settling into a long career at the Catholic Diocese of Toledo as their Hispanic Outreach Coordinator. Silvestre was one of Ohio’s pioneers of Tejano music along with Billy Reyna and Benito Perales, Sr. both who are deceased. He will be remembered by many for his Saturday radio program titled Radio Fiesta which was on WFOB 1430 from 1955 - 2008. He saw it as an opportunity to bring joy into the lives of many migrant families that were working the fields and those, like his, that had settled in the area. The program featured popular Tejano, Norteño and Conjunto music and allowed the community to engage by calling in with special dedications for birthdays and celebrations. He prided himself in using the “humble” Spanish of the community that his parents taught him growing up for the many radio listeners. The last program aired August 31, 2008. He credits his brother Ysidro for recommending Silvestre step in to do the program when former radio host Alfredo Aguilar had to go to Mexico for a short trip. Ysidro also recommended him for the job at the Catholic Diocese. The radio program was first called Cachito de Crystal - little piece of Crystal-as a nod to his hometown of Crystal City, Texas. When the Catholic Diocese agreed to support the program as an outreach opportunity to the migrant community, Silvestre changed the name to Junto a Uds. meaning near you in English. He later would change the name to Radio Fiesta. During this time, Silvestre was also a baile promoter bringing top Tejano and Mexican entertainment bands from Texas and Mexico to the region. Some of the more well know bands included Latin Breed, Los Tigres del Norte, Los Humildes, Carlos Guzman, and others. In 1976 in collaboration with the Latino Student Union at Bowling Green State University where his son Sylvester Jr. was president, he produced a concert with Mexican movie and recording star Vicente Fernandez, who at the time was in the prime of his career. During these busy years and in honor of his late father Ysidro Duran, Silvestre also owned and operated a Mexican restaurant in South Toledo call Don Ysidro’s. The restaurant was located on the corner of Hobart and St. Clair near SS. Peter & Paul Church. Many churchgoers and late-night revelers would go to Don Ysidro’s for all the Mexican favorites. He engaged his whole family in working at the restaurant. Silvestre was an advocate for the Latino community in the Toledo area during its formative years. He served on countless committees, boards and organizations advocating on behalf of Latino community. He received numerous awards and accolades for his hard work. He taught GED classes early on and worked to get people from the community hired into good paying jobs at Jeep. He was a founder and served as board President for La Raza Unida de Ohio. He was a founder and served as a commissioner for the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs. He was a lifetime member of FLOC attending rallies and demonstrations in support of Baldemar Velasquez. In his early years he traveled with his son Sylvester Jr. to boycott grapes at a rally in Cincinnati, Ohio attended by Cesar Chavez. Last year, prior to his 90th birthday, he traveled with FLOC to North Carolina to protest the treatment of migrant farmworkers in the tobacco fields. Silvestre dedicated his last decades of life to music and singing. He could be seen at many Latino social events singing and playing his guitar with the trio Los Distinguidos alongside Francisco Ibarra and Jesse Ponce, now deceased. His musical influence was passed on to his grandchildren Steve Longoria; Silvestre Roberto and Jose Duran; and Ricky May who all sing and play the guitar and piano. In his last few years Silvestre enjoyed traveling. He went to Spain with his son Sylvester Jr. He went on a trip with his son Bobby to Texas tracking down old family members and friends. He visited Mexico several times with his brother Joe. Several years ago he enjoyed a family vacation in Progreso, Mexico. He spent many hours working with his son Bobby on remodeling projects throughout his home. He was a long-time member of SS. Peter & Paul Church attending Sunday mass up until the week of his death. Silvestre and his wife Emily will also be remembered for opening their home and their hearts to family members in need of a place to live and the many friends who would stop in to take a dip in the backyard pool or for a friendly chat or a warm meal. Silvestre is preceded in death by his parents Ysidro and Petra Duran and his siblings Esperanza and her husband Ramon Gonzalez; Delfina and her husband Valentin Mora; Maria and her husband Braulio Garza . He is survived by his loving wife Emily of 67 years and his siblings Jose ( wife Josefina deceased ) Duran; Sesario and Lucy Duran and Ysidro and Vina Duran and Petra and Reyes Montes. He is also survived by his four children Sylvester Jr. (Margarita De Leon) Duran; Robert Duran (Sue Dianda) ; Bonnie (James) McHugh and Felicia Duran. He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren: Steve Longoria, Jr. and Marcus and Deanna McHugh; Celina, Feliciana Duran and their mother Mary Garcia; Devyn (Jeno) DeLuca, Briana (Santos) Urbina ; Alexis Duran and their mother Kim Duran ; Ricky and Ian (Allison Sarabia) May; Danielle Duran and her mother Barb Cruz; Silvestre R. (Lianne King),Jose and Elisa Duran. He is also survived by his 24 great grandchildren: Aria and London Longoria; Aliyah and Robert Rosas and Canaan Francisco, Maddux and Micah (d) Duran; Kyzer and Sire Duran-Dickerson; Ivaya, Jeno Jr. Ilyah and Videlle DeLuca; Mianna and Santos, Jr. Urbina; Melodia Luz May and Lilly, Mathew, Anahlycia and Sofea; Emilio Flores, Lionel and Sebastián Duran and Théo CainLopez. Silvestre’s extended family also included his many nieces and nephews. A memorial mass will take place at SS. Peter & Paul Church for family members only. Regrettably, the family will postpone the celebration of Silvestre’s life to a later date due to Covid 19.