Joseph F. Sylvia, Sr., 79, of New Bedford died Wednesday July 13, 2005 at Sacred Heart Home after a long illness. He was the husband of Alice M. (Dube) Sylvia.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Frederick and Clara (Sylvia) Catterall, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
He was a communicant of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister.
Mr. Sylvia was formerly employed by the National Biscuit Company as a warehouse foreman until his retirement after 39 years of service. He later was a crossing guard for the New Bedford School Department at the Hayden-McFadden School.
He was a member and Past President of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was very active in Bingo and church functions. He was a member of the Teamsters Union. During World War II, he served in the U. S. Navy in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was awarded the American Theater Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal with one star, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Kenneth J. Sylvia and his wife Cynthia of New Bedford, and Joseph F. Sylvia, Jr. and his girlfriend Wanda Spencer of Sante Fe, New Mexico; a daughter, Beatrice M. Watkins and her husband Russell of New Mexico; 11 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.
He was the father of the late Alice M. Sylvia.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday July 16, 2005 at 9 AM in Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Friday July 15, 2005 from 5-8 PM.