Paul M Silvia of Westport MA, 61, passed away peacefully on December 16th at the HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence RI with his beloved wife Debra by his side holding his hand after a seven month courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in Tiverton RI to the late Donald G and Barbara A (Camara) Silvia, Paul was a 1982 graduate of Tiverton High School, a 1986 graduate of Roger Williams University and obtained his Masters Degree in Teaching from Bridgewater State University.
Paul met the love of his life, Debra (Crompton) Silvia, while working at Stop & Shop in 1984 and their lifelong love and devotion for each other never stopped. Always together, they enjoyed camping, hosting gatherings at their house in Westport for friends and family and traveling up and down the east coast, especially to Key West. They were both happy to be together on their 38th Wedding Anniversary on December 12th, continuing to honor their marriage vows to love and to cherish in sickness and in health.
Paul taught at ComCare Services for a short time but his over thirty-five year career was spent as a special education teacher dedicated to the students he loved at Talbot Middle School where he joined a family of teachers devoted to the education of the students. Countless middle school children have been helped by his unending kindness which spanned from textbook teaching to basic life skills. In addition to teaching, Paul also refurbished older guitars and gifted them to children who could not afford to buy an instrument. (OrphanedGuitars.org)
Besides his wife, Paul is survived by his loving son Adam P Silvia and beloved daughter-in-law, Alysha (Allen) Silvia of New Bedford. Paul loved spending countless hours with Adam working on their cars and trucks, a favorite pastime and was so excited when Adam met Alysha whom he loved like she was his own daughter. Paul also leaves his beloved companions, Daisy and Poppy, and joins all his beloved dogs who have gone before him, especially Rosie.
Paul is also survived by his brothers David A Silvia (wife Cynde) of South Dartmouth and Stephen M Silvia (wife Diane) of Fall River with whom he also shared a love of cars, nephew Elliot Silvia of Andover, niece Elizabeth Silvia of Hanson as well as brother-in-law Kevin R Crompton of Bradford, RI. He was also brother-in-law to the late Lloyd W Crompton III.
Paul was a generous and selfless man who always put others first and would happily give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it. He will be sadly missed by family, countless friends and former students. The world has lost a great mentor.
Services are omitted but a celebration of Paul’s life will be held in the Spring of 2026.
Donations in his memory can be sent to HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, 1085 North Main Street, Providence RI 02904 ATTN: Philanthropy or on the website at https://www.hopehealthco.org/ways-to-give/donatenow/