Russell R. Sylvia, 66, of New Bedford died Tuesday April 17, 2012 at home after a long illness. He was the husband of Joanne L. (Tripp) Sylvia.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Robert R. and Gilda (Sylvia) Sylvia, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life and in Florida for several years.
Mr. Sylvia was formerly employed as a forklift operator for Maritime Terminal, Inc. He had also worked at the Whaling City Golf Course.
He was a member of the Teamsters Union, Local 59. He was an avid golfer.
Survivors include his wife; two children, Shelley Sylvia and her companion Peter of New Bedford and Robert Sylvia of Narragansett, RI; a stepson, Shannon Sylvia and his wife Peggy of New Bedford; his former wife Shirley (Tavares) Sylvia of New Bedford; his sister-in-law, Janice Tripp of Jacksonville, FL; and five grandchildren, Jordan, Zavier, McKenzie, Kendal and Dylan.
Private funeral arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Community Nurse and Hospice Care, P.O. Box 751, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.