Silvio Malinari

Silvio Malinari (88) of Ann Arbor, Michigan passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, January 12, 2024. Silvio is survived by his son Robert Malinari of Norwich, Connecticut; his four granddaughters Rachel Malinari of Dobbs Ferry, New York, Lindsay Walter of New York City, New York, Emily Malinari of Melville, New York, and Gillian Walter of Chicago, Illinois; and his son-in-law Jeffery Walter of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Carol (Raimann) Malinari; his daughter Sandra (Malinari) Walter; his father Antonio Malinari; his mother Pierina (Pezzulich) Malinari, and his brother Rino Malinari. Silvio was born in Brdo, a small mountain village in Istria on June 30, 1935. During World War II, his village was in a disputed territory occupied by soldiers, going from Austria to Italy to Yugoslavia before becoming Croatia. Silvio immigrated to America in 1946 alongside his mother and brother to join his father (who had arrived during the war) in Brooklyn, New York. Upon arrival, the only language Silvio knew was Chidi Bidi, the local Brdo dialect. After a few years, Silvio fully immersed himself in the English language and graduated high school. He met his wife Carol in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. They married on October 28, 1961. They soon had two children, Robert and Sandra, and put down roots in Lindenhurst on Long Island, New York. While building a family, Silvio worked on the tug boats in New York Harbor, joined the U.S. Army Reserve, and graduated from the New York City Police Academy at the age of 28. He went on to serve 19 years for the New York Police Department, becoming a detective. After retiring from the force in 1982, he worked in the restaurant business as a manager for Rusty’s (owned by former New York Mets player Rusty Staubb) in Manhattan and later for the Blue Lagoon on Long Island. Silvio and Carol spent their retirement traveling between Ann Arbor, Lindenhurst, and Daytona Beach, Florida while enjoying quality time with their grandchildren. They loved vacationing in Hawaii, Alaska, Jamaica, and Bermuda. In 2012, Silvio and his wife moved to Ann Arbor to enjoy the rest of their years with family. Silvio was best known for never failing to tell a joke. He left each person he encountered with a smile on their face. He was a kind, caring, hardworking man; the backbone of his family. He devoted his life to the happiness of his loved ones and never wanted to miss an event. As he often said, “If you are going to do something stupid, call me first and we will do it together.” Silvio was an avid sports fan, always cheering on the New York Giants and Mets. He quickly adopted fandom for his granddaughters’ alma maters and the Detroit teams. He had a generous spirit, and no one could leave his presence without flowers, food, Kit Kats, or some pizza money. He loved playing cards and games, and remained competitive in poker and Mexican Train to the end. He was beloved by all, and will be missed dearly. Friends may join the family for a time of visitation on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home in Saline from 9:00 A.M. until the time of Memorial Service at 12:00 P.M. Memorial contributions in Silvio’s name may be made to Active Against ALS, activeagainstals.org, and envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To leave a memory you have of Silvio, to sign his guestbook, or for directions please visit www.rbfhsaline.com

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Silvio Malinari

June 30, 1935 - January 12, 2024