Frank G. SILVA

SILVA , Frank G.

Frank G. Silva, 87, of Newington passed away peacefully at home, where he wanted to be, on Tuesday, (November 1, 2011), All Saint's Day, from congestive heart failure. To his family and many who knew him, he was a saint and heart failure couldn't diminish the tremendous warmth in his heart. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, who always put family first. He was pre-deceased by the love of his life and his "partner" of 58 years, Margaret (Giachello) Silva. He was a proud veteran of World War II, where he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was a true patriot who loved his country and the flag. He was a member of American Legion Post #117 and the V.F.W. Frank was a renaissance man who loved poetry and music, teaching himself to play the organ by ear, and with a voice like Mario Lanza; he enjoyed entertaining family and friends with his musical gifts. He earned a 2nd degree Black Belt in Karate, studying with his special nephew, Master Dick Vida. Frank also enjoyed stamp collecting and sharing his knowledge of stamps with his family. He loved to watch soccer matches on TV, a passion born from playing soccer with his Portuguese friends growing up in Hartford. He also enjoyed playing pool with the guys at the Newington Senior Center and he never turned down a chance for a game of cribbage. Coming home from the war as a disabled veteran, he began working for area car dealerships, spending many years at Grody Chevrolet, as the service foreman. His skill and knowledge in repairing cars made him many friends over the years. He leaves behind to mourn his daughter Marilyn and husband David Jacobs of Niantic, two sons, Richard and wife Patricia Silva of Southington and Thomas and wife Ellen Silva of Glastonbury. He also leaves six grandchildren who will miss the words of wisdom and philosophy of life he gave to them, Rick and Steve Silva of Southington and Katie, Kerry, Alison and Greg Silva of Glastonbury. In addition, he leaves his sister Adelaide Vida and many nieces and nephews. His family would like to thank the congestive heart failure unit at St. Fancis Hospital and especially the visiting nurses and staff from Masonicare in East Hartford for the compassionate care and support they provided.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday, (Nov. 5, 2011), 9 a.m., at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m., at Holy Spirit Church. Burial, with military honors, will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Family and friends are invited to call today from 4 to 8 p.m., at Newington Memorial. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, Attn: Gift Processing, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301. To share a memory with his family, please visit us at www.newingtonmemorial.com