Paul Joseph Silva, 82, of Dracut, formerly of Lowell, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 31, 2026, with his family by his side, following recent medical complications.
He was born in Lowell on December 14, 1943, a son of the late Daniel Silva and the late Candida (Cortez) Silva. Paul grew up in Lowell and was educated in the city's schools, attending Saint Peter's School and Lowell High School, where he played on the football team.
Paul was a familiar and welcoming presence in the local business community for more than half a century. He worked for many years at Pioneer Market, his family's store, before taking over the Whipple Cafe, which he owned and operated for 34 years. The Whipple became a gathering place, and the friendships he made behind that bar lasted a lifetime.
On September 10, 1961 Paul married Nancy (Seamans) Silva, and this coming September the couple would have celebrated 65 years of marriage. He and his wife, Nancy, made their home on Robin Lane in Lowell for 57 years before moving to Dracut in recent years.
Above all else, Paul treasured his family, and time spent with them was what mattered most to him. He looked forward to family trips to Disney World and enjoyed a good round of golf. He was a member of the Bunting Club and a social member at Longmeadow Golf Club.
In addition to his beloved wife of 64 years, Nancy (Seamans) Silva, Paul is survived by his two daughters, Deborah Dobens and her husband Christopher of Nashua, and Kathleen Bovill and her husband Scott of Dracut. He was the cherished grandfather of seven grandchildren, Russell Annis of Acton, James Archambault of Dracut, Eric Miner of Dracut, Christopher Dobens and his wife Brynlee of San Antonio, Texas, Catherine Dobens of Lawrence, Christopher Bovill of Dracut, and David Bovill and his wife Christine of Pelham. He also leaves four great-grandchildren, Sydney Annis, Corinne Annis, and Lindsay Archambault, all of Dracut, and Thomas Bovill of Pelham, as well as his nephew, Michael Silva and his wife Tonya of Vermont, and many cousins and dear friends. He was the brother of the late Daniel Silva.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a memorial visitation on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 01852. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 10a.m. at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, 115 Wheeler Road, Dracut, MA 01826, please meet at church. Burial will take place privately in Saint Patrick Cemetery at a later date. Please consider memorial donations in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Tufts Medicine Care at Home, Inc. Development office, 847 Rogers Street, Suite 201, Lowell, MA 01852. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the McDonough Funeral Home. For additional information or to offer an online condolence, please visit www.mcdonoughfuneralhome.com.