John J. Silva

John Silva, 85, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at Maristhill Nursing Home in Waltham. Born on June 25, 1932 in Boston he was the son of the late Manuel and Margaret (Stack) Silva. Raised and educated in the Oak Square neighborhood of Brighton he graduated from the former Boston English High School and later attended Northeastern University. He honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He wed Adina M. Rich on June 25, 1955 in St. Lawrence Church in Brookline. They were married for 56 years until her passing in 2011. John worked over 40 years for Boston Edison Co. before retiring in 1992.

John loved his family and spending time with them. Whether at the beach on Cape Cod, enjoying trips to Houston and Saratoga or making the annual pilgrimage to the Final Four Basketball tournament in Las Vegas…he relished in the company of his family and friends. Retirement afforded him even more time on Cape Cod and at the beach. He and Adina travelled each year to Aruba.

His children will be forever grateful for his presence in their lives. John often assumed the role of both parents and he did it well and without hesitation.

In addition to his wife, Adina, he is predeceased by great-granddaughter, Bella Belanger; daughter-in-law Linda Silva; his only sister, Mary 'Sissy' Silva and two aunts with whom he was very close, Elizabeth and Mary Stack.

He leaves his children, John J. Silva and his wife, Susan of Friendswood, Texas, Paul W. Silva and his wife, Angela of Lynn, Mark R. Silva and his wife, Christine of Scituate, Margaret M. MacKenzie and her husband, Gregg of Waltham and Robert M. Silva of Hyannis; his grandchildren, Lauren Silva, Rachel Belanger and her husband, Ryan, Ryan Silva, Michael and Melissa Ricci. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember John's life by gathering for calling hours in the Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, September 25th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial is private.

The family would like to thank the staff at Maristhill Nursing Home for their special care over the past year. Memorials in his name may be made to Boston Children's Hospital, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215.