QUE PASA
Newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
March 2015
Silviano Chacon
by Peggy Chong
Silviano Chacon was born in 1927 in New Mexico, the son of Juan and Francesca Chacon. His family lived in Rio Arriba County during his childhood. Silviano was born during his father's second marriage, and Silviano had two older siblings from that marriage.
Silviano attended the New Mexico School for the Blind in Alamogordo, graduating in 1947. After graduating from the school for the blind, he moved to Albuquerque where he found work. In 1949, he was working at the American Radiator and Steamland Sanitary Corp. in the warehouse. He worked hard to prove his worth to the company, and in 1957, he was promoted to a clerk in the office.
1957 was a good year for him, as he married Claudina. He and his wife were founding members of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico in 1956. Claudina was elected the first treasurer of the affiliate. As part of a delegation of 8, he and Claudina attended the
1957 national convention in New Orleans.
As an active member of the affiliate, he also chaired the Convention Coordinating Committee for the NFB of NM State Convention for 1959. That same year, the NFB national convention was held in Santa Fe. Silviano chaired the Meeting Room Committee, ensuring that all was set up in the meeting hall before sessions and cleaning up afterwards.
In 1969, Sears in Albuquerque had a contest for "his and hers" Maverick automobiles to be given away before Christmas. Silviano was in the running for the car. The newspaper listed him and many others who had passed the first hurdle. But there is no indication that he won the car.
Sadly, this is all I have found out about Mr. Chacon. If anyone has additional information on him, I would love to add to his story.