John T. "Jack" Sylvia, 90, of New Bedford died September 21, 2019 peacefully at St. Luke's Hospital surrounded by his family whom he loved.
He was the husband of Ellen M. (Gordon) Sylvia, with whom he shared 68 happy years of marriage.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Antone Sylvia and Doris (Davis) Flora, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
Jack was formerly employed in the seafood industry with several local fish houses for 48 years until his retirement. He later was a courier for the City of New Bedford, a job he enjoyed.
Mr. Sylvia was a communicant of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Valley Forge.
Jack enjoyed watching old time western movies, warm weather, cookouts with family and friends, sitting on his front porch, enjoying the majestic views of the beautiful trees in Clasky Common Park across the street from his home of the past 54 years and most of all, he enjoyed all the time that was spent with his family.
He also enjoyed helping family, neighbors and friends in many capacities.
Survivors include his wife; 2 daughters, Doris Sylvia of New Bedford and Gail Teixeira and her husband Louis of Acushnet; a sister, Linda Sylvia of Attleboro; 5 grandchildren, Dustin Freitas and his wife Billie Jo, Trevor Freitas, Jarred Freitas, Alexis Teixeira and Rylee Teixeira; Brooke Miller, who was loved as a grandchild; 8 great-grandchildren, Megan, Jonathan, Alexia, Elizabeth, Christian, Daniella, Austin and Tyler; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Debra DeMelo and the brother of the late Antone Sylvia, Arthur Sylvia and Shirley Nanopoulos.
His visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 27thfrom 5-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. His Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 28th at 9 AM at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 121 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford. Burial to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.