Robert (Bob) Silva son of the late John F. Silva and Imelda J. (Boulanger) passed away February 28th leaving behind his cherished wife Elizabeth (Bette) (Senay), two children, Diane Silva-Henningsen (Michael), John R. Silva and his treasured granddaughter Emma Silva-Henningsen. He is also survived by his brother, Richard J. N. Silva (Ginger) and his sister, Louise A. Mahoney (Silva) and her late husband Daniel Mahoney, his sister-in-law Ann Hoglund and her husband Michael of Ocala, FL and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Throughout Bob’s growing years, he attended Catholic Schools in Fall River graduating from Monsignor Prevost High School in 1960. Bob graduated Summa Cum Laude from Johnson and Wales College obtaining a BS in Business Management degree. He was also one of the first recipients of the Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society and he was sponsored by Dr. Domenic Vavala, M.D., PH.D., Lt. Col. USAF Ret. He joined the U.S. Navy attached to Bomber Squadron VA-75 serving aboard the U.S.S. Independence Aircraft carrier. Bob was deployed to the Viet Nam theatre in 1965 and a Mediterranean tour of duty where he had the privilege of being an interpreter for the Admiral of the Sixth Fleet when President Charles De Gaulle of France came aboard ship. He loved America and always said, “It was an honor and a privilege to serve”.
When Bob came home he married the love of his life, Bette. They were married for fifty-seven years and knew each other for sixty-two years. He took his family on many excursions to the White Mountains, fun sites in New Hampshire, New York, Florida, Connecticut, Maine and various other places. He also made sure he was an integral part of his children’s education and always involved in their events and organizations that they belonged to. Bob was an active member of St. Mary’s Church in Seekonk, as a Vincentian and a Eucharistic Ministers humbly serving both ministries with love. St. Jude was Bob’s patron saint. At the Cape Bob was a member of Our Lady of Victory.
As Vice President of International Packaging, Bob ran the International Accessories Division in Pawtucket, R.I. He was employed by Interpak for over thirty-four years where he made many friends and acquaintances. At 59 ½ Bob retired and as an active member of the Attleboro Elks, became the Exalted Ruler from 2005-2006. Bob remained a member of Attleboro Lodge 1014 until his passing. Moving to Cape Cod in 2006 he enjoyed his trips to Europe and many cruises to the Caribbean and Mediterranean. He was an active member of the Barnstable Newcomers, Barnstable Association of Recreational Shell fishing (BARS) where he became President from January, 2010 to December of 2011. After serving for a few years as a poll worker, Bob became Poll Warden for Precinct 6; another way to serve his country but in a different capacity.
Shell fishing was one of Bob’s greatest loves and at times when called upon as a member of BARS, he would assist the town in harvesting and cleaning up the areas for same as well as teaching shell fishing to others. Surf fishing and charter boat fishing, golf, and working in his yard with his roses, along with working in his workshop (hammer and nails in hand) were also favorite pastimes of his.
Bob will be sadly missed by his family. He was the nucleus and the go-to dad for advice, decision making, and most of all love and hugs. We love you Grampie and we will all miss you but you will always be in our hearts.
Visiting hours will be held at the Doane, Beal, and Ames Funeral Home, 160 West Main St., Hyannis, on Friday, March 8, 2024 from 4-7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Wianno Ave., Osterville, on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery on Monday, March 11, 2024 at 12:30 PM.
Due to the limitation of flowers at the cemetery, Bob’s family requests that you consider a donation to the Barnstable Association for Recreational Shellfishing (BARS) - shellfishing.org, Tunnel to Towers Foundation – t2t.org, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – stjude.org
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