Francis J. Sylvia, 89, of New Bedford died November 10, 2012 at Sippican Healthcare Center after a long illness.
He was the husband of Margaret E. (Birtwistle) Sylvia with whom he shared 63 years of marriage.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Joseph F. and Anne F. (Harlow) Sylvia.
Mr. Sylvia was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in New Bedford.
He was formerly employed as an electrician with I.B.E.W. Local 224 for many years until his retirement.
Mr. Sylvia enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II training as a radio operator on B-29's. He kept his private pilots license into his 70's.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Patricia Andrews and her husband David of Mattapoisett; 2 sons, Marc Sylvia of Marion and David Sylvia of Westport; 6 grandchildren, Meghan, David, Kathryn, Michael, Betsy and Rebecca; 2 great-grandchildren, Noah and Bereket; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Rose Marie Stewardson and Edward Sylvia.
His Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 16th at 11 AM in St. Mary's Church, New Bedford. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery.