Joseph A. Silva

Joseph A. “Rocky” Silva, Sr., age 89 of Wood St., Bristol, died Sunday, August 29, 2010 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Ida (Silvia) Silva, his wife of 68 years. Born in Providence, RI a son of the late Frank and Eva (Perry) Silva. Joseph was a wire worker for the former Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp formerly in Bristol and Portsmouth before retiring. He was a communicant of St. Elizabeths Church, Bristol. Joseph served with Company B 872d Engineer Aviation Battalion during WW II, while in the US Army he served in New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Ryukus receiving a Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Service Star and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon. He was a member of the Cup Defenders Association and a past member of the Santo Cristo Feast. Joseph was a strong and gentle man who had a great love for his family and friends. He was also a jack of all trades. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Joseph A. Silva, Jr. (Linda), Linda Taft (Rick), Bettyann Mello (Joseph) all of Bristol, Rosemary Bisbano (Edward) of Pawtucket, Carol Dodson (Walter) of Norwich, CT., a brother George Silva and a sister Lucy Faria both of Swansea, MA, thirteen grandchildren, Stacey Branca, Lori Silva, Joseph A. Silva, III., Krista and Kelly Taft, Angela and Jennifer Bourgault, Joshua, Meghan, and J.P. Mello, Andrew, Jason, and Eric Dodson. Also survived by seven great grandchildren, David Branca, Bailey and Taegan Taft, Jacob and Alan Briggs, Anthony Bisbano, Kylee Bourgault. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers John, Frank, Daniel, Albert, Edward and Richard Silva and a sister Dorothy Frechette Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood St., Bristol Wednesday at 9:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Elizabeths Church, 577 Wood St., Bristol. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Marys Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. Visiting hours Tuesday 4:00-8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to VNS Hospice of Bristol and Newport Counties, 1184 East Main Rd., Portsmouth, RI 02871.

Service Information Cemetery St. Mary's Cemetery Chestnut Street Bristol, RI --> Visitation Tuesday August 31, 2010 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 --> Service Wednesday September 1, 2010 10:00 AM St. Elizabeth's Church 577 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 -->