Robert William Silvia

Born on February 6, 1941, Bob is the son of the late Joseph and Georgianna (Cabral) Silvia.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 58 wonderful years, Linda (Amaral) Silvia. He is also survived by his five daughters - Vicki Racine and husband John of Lakeville, Donna Gelinas of Dartmouth, Judy Ariagno and husband David of Cataumet, Jennifer LaRhette and husband Michael of Hingham, and Melissa Kleinknecht and husband Jason of Middletown, RI. He is also survived by his 14 much-loved grandchildren, Adam, Amanda, and Emma Gelinas; Timothy Racine and fiancée Meghan Edmonston, Allison Racine and fiancée Tyler Williams, and Katelyn Racine; Abigail, Andrew, and Alexa Ariagno; Nathan and Benjamin LaRhette; and Nicholas, Griffin, and Megan Kleinknecht.

He is survived by his brother Joseph Silvia, of Winchedon and several beloved nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Norman Sylvia, of New Bedford and Norma Martin of California.

Bob was a graduate of New Bedford High School Class of 1960 and a Veteran of the United States Air Force. He worked at Revere Copper and Brass and then Com Electric for many years until retirement. He coached many sports teams (on and off the field), was an avid golfer at Reservation Golf Club in Mattapoisett, a member of the Hole in One Club; he loved playing cards, fishing, and playing tennis with his friends. His favorite hobby was watching all his daughters and grandchildren play sports and dance. Bob was known for his sense of humor, contagious smile, making a new friend wherever he went, but mostly for being a devoted family man. He was an avid New England Sports fan! Bob was the President of the Apponequet Athletics Booster Club and was inducted into Apponequet’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He was part of the St. John Neumann Church family and a long-time volunteer at its Lakeside Family Festival in E. Freetown.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, January 16, 2020 from 4-8 PM at Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford. A memorial service will take place on Friday, January 17, 2020 at 10 AM also at Rock Funeral Home. Friends are asked to go directly to the funeral home on Friday. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in New Bedford.

At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given in Bob’s name to Fisher House Foundation, Inc. 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850 (https://fisherhouse.org).