Daya "Tony" De Silva
April 11, 1945 - March 18, 2023
Daya (Tony) De Silva passed away peacefully on March 18, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 11, 1945, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.


Daya (Tony) De Silva passed away peacefully on March 18, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 11, 1945, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Daya was a dedicated father, loving husband, and a friend to many. Daya was also a devout Buddhist and played a key role in establishing the Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple in Sacramento.
In addition to his love for helping others, Daya loved cooking and entertaining his friends and family. A dancing legend, Daya was always the life of the party, never failing to get up and dance and have a good time. His joy was contagious, and he could light up a room with his presence.
Daya is carried on by his beloved wife of 50 years, Ramani, his son Diluks and his daughter-in-law Sara, and his brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. He was the eldest of ten siblings.
Continuing Daya's Legacy
Donation for Cancer
In memory of a truly exceptional man, we are launching this campaign to honor his legacy and continue his tireless efforts to make the world a better place. Our beloved father, husband, and friend was a devout Buddhist and an unwavering philanthropist. He spent his life giving back to those in need, and his impact was immeasurable.
Tragically, he lost his battle with prostate cancer earlier this year. But we refuse to let his legacy be defined by this illness. Instead, we want to honor him by continuing his work and supporting causes that were dear to his heart.
We want to donate to the cancer hospital in Sri Lanka to help those who are in need of cancer treatments. We believe that every person deserves access to quality healthcare and the opportunity to live a long, healthy life.
We know that many people share our father's passion for making the world a better place. If you are one of those people, we urge you to consider making a donation to this important cause. Every dollar counts and will help us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Thank you for your support and for helping us to honor the legacy of a truly remarkable man: Daya De Silva
Donations can be made to the following
Account Number 325181413990
Routing Number for Paper/Electronic 121000358
Routing Number for Wires 026009593
Thank you,
The De Silva Family
Ramani, Diluks, and Sara
100% of the proceeds will benefit this cause.
Previously Recorded Livestreams
7th Day Bana Service
7th Day Damma Talk delivered by Venerable Tekewe Shantharakshitha Livestream on Friday, March 24th 2023 at 7:00 PM PDT in memory of Daya De Silva
7th Day Dana Service
7th Day Dana Ceremony at the ABS Temple in Sacramento on Saturday, March 25th 2023 at 10:30 AM PDT in memory of Daya De Silva
Funeral Service
Daya (Tony) De Silva passed away peacefully on March 18, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 11, 1945, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. On Wednesday, March 29th, 2023, Funeral Services for Daya De Silva were held at the East Lawn Greenback, Sacramento CA. The is the recorded livestream from that day.

Eulogy
In Loving Memory
As I stand here today, I am filled with a deep sense of sadness and gratitude. Sadness, for we have lost someone who was so dear to us, and gratitude, because we had the privilege of knowing and loving someone who left an enduring mark on our hearts and souls, a mark that will never fade away. There are people who come into our lives and leave such an impression that it stays with us forever. As I look around me and see all the people who have gathered here to honor this man, I realize the profound impact he had on all of us. Two decades. Twenty years of knowing him and his family have truly been a gift. Today, we’ve gathered to pay tribute to his life and his enduring legacy.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you all for coming together to celebrate the extraordinary life of a remarkable man, Daya De Silva, or as my sister and I fondly called him, Daya Uncle. Though not related by blood, our families have been like family to one another, sharing holidays and countless cherished memories over the last two decades. Two decades. Two decades of laughter, love, and togetherness, which Daya Uncle helped make possible. Today, we gather to pay tribute to his life and his enduring legacy.
Daya Uncle was a devoted husband to Ramani Aunty and a loving father to Diluks and father-in-law to Sara. He worked tirelessly and made countless sacrifices to provide for his family and create a loving and supportive home. His dedication to his family was evident in the way he raised his son Diluks, who I looked up to as a role model growing up. Daya Uncle's influence on Diluks is unmistakable, as he has grown into a man with strong ideals and a kind heart, a testament to Daya Uncle's unwavering commitment to his family.
Every time Daya Uncle spoke of Diluks, his accomplishments, and his daughter-in-law Sara, his face would light up with pride and joy. This love and dedication extended beyond his family, as he was always there for his friends, offering a helping hand or a listening ear whenever needed.
As the eldest of ten siblings, Daya Uncle stepped up as a father figure after the passing of his own father. His brothers and sisters looked up to him for guidance and support, a testament to his strong character and nurturing nature.
Daya Uncle's dedication to his faith and his community was truly inspirational. As a devout Buddhist, he lived his life according to the principles of Buddhism, embodying compassion, mindfulness, and selflessness in everything he did. He followed the Buddhist teachings on the path toward Nibbana, and in doing so, touched the lives of all who knew him.
His generosity knew no bounds, whether it was through volunteering at local events, supporting community fundraisers, or simply lending a helping hand to a neighbor in need. His presence was like the warmth of the sun on a chilly morning - felt and appreciated by all who had the privilege of knowing him, and his impact on countless lives will not be forgotten.
But it wasn't just his kindness and generosity that touched our lives; Daya Uncle was like a ray of sunshine, brightening up even the darkest of days. A dancing legend, he was also the life of any and all parties he was in attendance. His infectious smile, contagious laughter, and serious dance moves brought joy to every room he entered. If there was music playing, you could be sure to find him on the dance floor, pulling us in to join him and spreading happiness to everyone around him.
One of my favorite memories of Daya Uncle is when I was a kid and our family went to their house for dinner - this was pretty much a recurring tradition growing up - and I always looked forward to Ramani Aunty's Chicken Curry. Being a chubby kid, my dad tried to control my diet and restrict my portions to just one helping. Daya Uncle, always quick to make us laugh, smiled and said, "Don't worry, let the boy eat!" and gave me more and convinced my dad it was alright. He saw the joy on my face and he wanted to make sure I had enough to eat, even if it meant I had to shop in the Husky section for jeans as a kid. Looking back at old photos, I can see why my dad was hesitant to give me more food when I was younger. But Daya Uncle always knew how to make me feel special and loved. Maybe he thought I'd burn it off chasing after the ice cream truck later?
Today, as we remember Daya Uncle, we honor the legacy he leaves behind – a legacy of love, selflessness, and joy. Though he may no longer be with us physically, his spirit will live on in the lives he touched and the countless hearts he warmed.
Let us honor his legacy by embracing the purpose of human life, as described by Maya Angelou: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Daya Uncle made us feel loved, appreciated, and alive, and that is a gift that will stay with us always. In doing so, we not only keep his spirit alive but also make the world a better place, just as he did.
And as we reflect on his journey as a devout Buddhist, we hope that he attains the peace and serenity of Nibbana. Let his life serve as a reminder to us all to live with compassion, mindfulness, and selflessness, just as he did.
We can all agree that he was a legend in every sense of the word. His kindness, generosity, and humor touched the lives of so many, and his legacy will continue to inspire us for generations to come. Though he may no longer be with us physically, we know that legends are never forgotten.
Thank you for the gift of your life, and for the love and light you brought into our world. Rest in peace, knowing that you will never be forgotten.
-Neil