George P. Silva, 74, of New Bedford died Saturday January 14, 2006 at Alden Court Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fairhaven after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of June M. (Amaral) Silva; they had been married for 53 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Antone and Emelia (Correia) Silva, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
He was a communicant of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church.
Mr. Silva was formerly employed as a maintenance worker for the New Bedford Housing Authority until his retirement. He had previously worked as a foreman at Morse Cutting Tools for 27 years.
He was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School, Class of 1949, where he played football. He later attended Fisher Junior College.
During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Turner. He was a member of the American Legion Post 166 in Fairhaven and a former member of the Pierpoint Collectors of America Chapter 3. He had been an active volunteer for St. James Bingo, the Solanus Casey Food Pantry, New Bedford Summerfest, Easter Seals, and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life - House of Angels Team. Active in his parish, he served as a Catholic Charities Appeal collector and as a member of the Financial Council and the St. Vincent dePaul Society, from which he received the Top Hat Award.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Kathleen Carter of Fairhaven; a granddaughter, Crystal Carter of Fairhaven; two brothers, James P. Sylvia and his wife Frances of Portsmouth, Rhode Island and Lionel P. Silva of Bedford; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Wednesday January 18, 2005 at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday January 17, 2005 from 4-8 PM. Burial with Military Honors will be in Rural Cemetery. Remembrances in George's name may be made to the Solanus Casey Food Pantry, c/o Bob Goldblatt, 238 Bonney St., New Bedford, MA 02744.