Benjamin DaSilva Jr.

Benjamin DaSilva Jr. died on September 30, 2017. He was the son of Benjamin and Rose DaSilva and lived his entire life in Danbury. He began his career as a teacher in Stamford then came to Danbury to teach at the new Hayestown Avenue School. Next he became the assistant principal and then principal of King Street School. He later served as Director of Elementary Education and then Assistant Superintendent of Schools.

He is survived by his wife Jean, son Thomas and wife, Koko and daughter, Maya, his son John and wife Sharon and daughter Antonia. He is also survived by his brother Joseph and wife Linda, sister Phyliss and husband Gerald, uncle Frank DeMunda and wife Michele, sister-in-law Janet and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife Shirley, his brother Anthony and his wife Carolyn and his brother Richard.

In addition to a thirty-five year career as an educator, Ben devoted much of his life to supporting the arts. He was Chairman of the Danbury Cultural Commission for forty-three years and a long dedicated supporter of the Danbury Music Centre as well as numerous arts activities. He was a co-author of the successful textbook: The Afro-American in United States History, which has been used as far away as New Zealand and Poland. It can be found in many libraries in the world. His other writings include several short stories, two novels, a play which had a successful run at the Sherman Playhouse and a musical which was produced in concert format at the Marian Anderson Recital Hall in Danbury.

A dedicated and respected educator, he was a kind and gentle person who touched the lives of many people with whom he worked and lived. The family would like to thank Regional Hospice and Home Instead for the loving care they provided to Ben the last days of his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ben's memory may be made to the Benjamin DaSilva Scholarship Fund at Danbury High School, Clapboard Ridge, Danbury, CT 06811. Friends and family may call at the Green Funeral Home on Friday, October 6, 2017 from 4 to 7pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Church, Main St., Danbury at 10AM on Saturday, October 7, with burial to follow at St. Peter Cemetery.