Robert C. Silva, 85 years old, of Falmouth and formerly of Taunton, departed this life on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Carolyn Ruth (Vickers) Silva, of Taunton, MA. Mr. Silva was the son of the late John and Dora (Faille) Silva of East Taunton.
Prior to retiring, Mr. Silva was a lifelong resident of Taunton, MA. He graduated from Coyle High School in 1950 where he was a star athlete in football, baseball and basketball. Following high school, he joined the Air Force, flying combat missions during the Korean War. Once home from service to his country, Mr. Silva worked at the Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant until his retirement, serving as the Supervisor of the meter department. Mr. Silva was a member of the Mayor’s Worthy Cause Committee and was influential in the initiation of the Kiddie’s Day events surrounding Independence Day. He also served as a member of the Substance Abuse Committee and worked tirelessly in education of drug abuse and prevention for Taunton. He was an avid sports fan, enjoying season’s tickets to the Patriots since the 1970s. He was known to stop on occasion at the Taunton Green and provide a ticket and ride to those less fortunate to enjoy a Patriot’s game along with him, thereby spreading his generosity and love of people. He also enjoyed watching the Red Sox and Celtics. He mostly enjoyed his beloved cottage on Cape Cod located on the Shining Sea bike trail upon which he took many rides to and from Woods Hole with his family and friends. He had a love for the ocean and for all things outdoors including gardening, sprucing up his home and planting flowers. He had a passion to be with others and make them laugh, but mostly, he wanted to make people feel extraordinarily good about themselves and never forgot to provide compliments to all he met along his way in life.
He will be greatly missed by his survivors, including his six children and their spouses: Robin (Daniel) Green of Dennis, MA, Robert C. Silva, Jr. (Eileen) of Byfield, MA, Pamela (Joseph) Bettencourt of Fairhaven, MA, Donna (Michael Shamberg) Silva of Harwich, MA, Karen (Thomas) Daley of Taunton, MA, and Randall S. Silva (Lori) of Wellington, FL; 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; a brother, Kenneth E. Silva of No. Attleboro, and a sister, Doreen and her husband Richard Torres of East Taunton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Silva was the brother of the late John J. Silva, formerly of Raynham, MA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 19, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Family Church Middleboro Ave, East Taunton. Interment with military honors will be in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Taunton. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, December 18 th from 4 to 7 p.m. in The Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Taunton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Mr. Silva’s memory made to a charity of your choice , would be deeply appreciated.
For online expressions of sympathy or to sign an online guestbook, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com