Retired Deputy Fire Chief Joseph P. Silva, 101, of New Bedford passed away Friday September 20, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital. He was the husband of the late Julia A. (Barros) Silva.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Pedro J. and Maria Julia (Pimental) Silva, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life. He was a graduate of New Bedford High School Class of 1936, where he was a member of R.O.T.C., serving as a Staff Sergeant.
After graduation he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the forestry division. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in North Africa and Italy. He was attached to a trucking unit known as the “Rolling Deuces” 22nd Quartermaster Battalion Company A, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.
After returning from the war, he worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company until joining the New Bedford Fire Department in 1947. He rose from firefighter to Deputy Chief assigned to the Fire Prevention Unit and later shifted to Deputy Chief of Operations. He retired after 36 years of service to the department. Throughout the years, he also worked as a stevedore on the New Bedford waterfront. He played a key role in establishing union health and welfare benefits for the I.L.A. members as well as an educational scholarship fund for their children.
Mr. Silva was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, where he was a member of the Building and Maintenance Committee until retiring at the age of 95. He was the recipient of the Marian Medal from the Diocese of Fall River for his dedicated service to his parish. He had served on the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission for seven years. He had also been recognized by the International Longshoremen’s Association, the William H. Carney Lodge, and the Cape Verdean American Veterans Association for his contributions to the community. He was also awarded six loving grandsons of whom he was always supportive, patient, and proud.
He is survived by his daughters, Janet Almeida and Karen Azevedo and her husband Louis; his grandchildren, Ned Almeida and his wife Jennifer, Daniel Almeida, Aaron Azevedo, Julian Azevedo, Jon Paul Azevedo, Andrew Azevedo, and Desiree Gibbs; his great-grandchildren, Nicolle, Thiffane, and Apollo Almeida, Michael and Nancy Gibbs; his nieces and nephews, Carol Pimental, Barbara Silva, Julie Grant, Jay Costello, Irene Pulley, Gladstone Germano, Antonio Germano, and Carlos Germano; as well as many other nieces and nephews here and abroad.
He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Noel Almeida, and his siblings, Neecha Germano, Nina Rose, Mary Lopes, and Jennie Singer.
His Funeral will be held on Thursday September 26, 2019 at 8 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 9 AM. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday September 25, 2019 from 4-8 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.