Alfredo B. "Freddie" Silva, Sr., 81, of New Bedford died Tuesday July 6, 2010 peacefully at home.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Antonia Almeida Teque and Bartholomew Silva, he was raised in Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde until returning to New Bedford at the age of 16 years.
Mr. Silva was formerly employed by the City of New Bedford for many years, and later as a custodian at Kristen Beth Nursing Home until his retirement. He was a self-taught musician whose unique talent as 12-string lead guitarist specializing in Cape Verdean music made him a prominent entertainer in Cape Verdean circles in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and California. He recently retired from Toi Grace & the Verdatones.
During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Cape Verdean-American Veterans Association. He was a popular bartender at the Vets Hall and was recently honored with an 81st birthday celebration.
He is survived by his long-time companion, Juanita Perry of Wareham; a son, Alfredo B. "Sonny" Silva, Jr. and his wife Faith of New Bedford; ten daughters, Shirley Paige and her husband William of Merrimac, NH, Beverly Gresham of Mitchellville, MD, Melissa Wilson and her husband Conan of Clinton, MD, Elaine Costa, Yvonne Houtman and her husband Raymond, Peggy Dias and her husband Mark, Diane Tavares , Antonet "Toni" Silva, Doris Soares, and Doreen Soares, all of New Bedford; his former wife, Maria Silva of New Bedford; a brother, Thomas Silva and his wife Barbara of New Bedford; a sister, Priscilla Perez of Fall River; two sons-in-law, Daniel DeBarros and Amilton Tavares, both of New Bedford; 28 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, and friends throughout the community.
He was the father of the late Anna Silva and Sandra Gonsalves, and father-in-law of the late John Gonsalves.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 9 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Burial with military honors will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 3-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.