Mark Robert Silva, 63, of Provincetown passed peaceful, Monday October 30th after a courageous battle with Machado-Joseph’s Disease (Spinocerebellar Ataxia-3 / SCA3).
Mark was born on February 19, 1954 to the late Robert F. and Veronica Mae (Leonard) Silva. Mark enjoyed a bit of a mischievous youth, was a star athlete at Provincetown High School and loved by many for his incredible sense of humor, infectious laugh, vibrant personality and generous heart.
Even though Mark had physical limitations later in life they never stopped him from dreaming big and being involved. He served in leadership positions at Seamen’s Bank, the Provincetown Lion’s Club, Knights of Columbus, Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum and the Great Provincetown Schooner Regatta. His most recent endeavor was founding Accessible Provincetown – an organization dedicated to ensuring that disabled Provincetown residents and visitors have access to all the wonders and benefits of town, which includes the blue mat beach access project.
Mark had a true love of Provincetown and of his Portuguese heritage.
In 1997 he brought new life to the annual Blessing of the Fishing Fleet by rallying friends and towns people to expand the celebration to its present four-day event.
Mark graduated from Bridgeport University in 1976 and went to work for his father’s insurance agency. Mark and his brother Paul purchased Benson Young and Downs Insurance Agency from their father in 1998. He was also a very active member of the Association of Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agents.
He is survived by his brothers, Stephen (wife, Candy) Dave, Paul (wife, Karen) and sisters, Karen (husband, Bob) and Deb (husband, Michael), 11 nieces, nephews, 2 great nieces, 1 great nephew and many Godchildren.
Please join us at a Funeral Mass celebrating Mark’s life and legacy on Friday, November 10th at 10:30 am - St. Peter’s the Apostle Church, 11 Prince Street, Provincetown. Fellowship will be at the Red Inn, 15 Commercial Street, Provincetown following burial at St. Peters Cemetery.
We have established The Veronica Silva Ataxia Foundation in the hopes of finding a cure for this unforgivable degenerative movement disorder. Mark’s Neurologist, Vikram Khurana of Brigham and Women’s Hospital has shared the news of promising advances in stem cell and gene-therapy research giving us the opportunity to advance the cause and research by establishing this foundation dedicated solely to SCA3. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that your tax deductible donations be made to support the Spinocerebellar Ataxia 3 research of Dr. Vik Khurana’s team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Checks can be made payable to The Veronica Silva Ataxia Foundation with “in memory of Mark Silva or Veronica Silva” in the memo line and sent to: Seamen's Bank, PO Box 659, Provincetown, MA 02657.