Joe Terronez talks with Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films in 2011 about the eight heroes of Hero Street.
We are sad to share that Joe Terronez passed away on January 2, 2021 at the home he and his father built in 1949 in Silvis, Illinois surrounded by his beloved family.
We were fortunate to interview Joe for the Hero Street documentary series we are working on. He was one of the first people to talk with us about the eight heroes of Hero Street and his love of Silvis, Illinois--his home for 91 years.
Joe bubbled with enthusiasm and determination. His huge smile, pride, sharp memories and humor were captured for part one, "Riding the Rails to Hero Street", in the new Hero Street multi-part documentary series. He will be greatly missed by us and by so many.
Joe Terronez during Q&A following the premiere of "Riding the Rails to Hero Street" at the Putnam Giant Screen.
Joseph "Joe" Terronez was born on February 15, 1929 to Benito and Felisa Terronez in a boxcar in the Silvis, Illinois railroad yards. He didn't remember much about his youngest years, but said he was the last in his family born in a boxcar.
He attended Silvis public Schools and proudly graduated from United Township High School in 1947. He married Rebecca Herrera in 1948 and they raised eight children together--love of family and his faith as a devout Catholic were most important to him. Thirty three years of his life was spent working at International Harvester Company.
His lifetime was spent trying to make his community a better place. His work with veterans was recognized by the Mexican American Veterans Association (MAVA) by making him an Honorary member. He was a member of the Hero Street Memorial Park Committee, and served the City of Silvis and his community as First Ward Alderman for twenty six years and and as the Mayor of Silvis for four years. He was the first elected Hispanic Mayor in the State of Illinois.
From his obituary: "He worked tirelessly in the renaming of 2nd Street in Silvis, Illinois to “Hero Street, USA” and establishing “Hero Street Memorial Park”, a living memorial to the eight Mexican Americans from Hero Street and all the heroes from Silvis. He always, and everywhere, promoted Hero Street, honoring the boys of Hero Street and their families, and demanding the national recognition it so rightfully deserved.
Joe received numerous honors and awards at the local, state, and national levels for his accomplishments in labor, politics, and community service. National awards include Civic Leadership Award in 1985 and National Hispanic Hero Award in 1996 presented at the United States Hispanic Annual Leadership Conferences held in Chicago. In 2019 he was named Silvis Hometown Hero and Moonlight parade Grand Marshal. This brought joy to him, family and friends, and all who respected a guy named Joe.
He was loved and respected by so many. He loved Silvis and often said his strength and pride came from Silvis."
Survivors include his children: Darrell(Cindy) Terronez, Silvis; Roberta Terronez, Lakewood, CO; Rebecca Terronez, Silvis; Mary Terronez, Silvis; and Lydia(Javier) Riojas; 13 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com. Private funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Silvis. Services will be live streamed 2pm Thursday, January 7 at http://www.facebook.com/vanhoefuneralhome. Joe will be buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline.
Only a block and a half long, Hero Street in Silvis, Illinois lost six young men in World War II and two in the Korean War, more than any other street in America of any size. Hero Street has provided nearly 200 American military service members since World War II.
Hero Street, a multi-part documentary series by Fourth Wall Films, explores the personal and family sagas behind each of the eight heroes and tells the compelling true story of an ongoing struggle to memorialize Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.
The series combines interviews with family members, friends, veterans, community leaders and historians with vintage photos, film, and archival materials to tell an unforgettable story of American courage, character and perseverance.
To order the DVD for Riding the Rails to Hero Street (part 1), A Bridge too Far from Hero Street: William Sandoval's Story, or Fourth Wall Films' Emmy®-nominated and award-winning film Letters Home to Hero Street (co-produced with Lora Adams and WQPT), CLICK HERE!
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