Gloucester Alumni

GLOUCESTER — Robert E. Silva, 77, of Englewood Road, died Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 6, 2008 in the Brigham & Women's Hospital, following an extended illness. He was the husband of Barbara F. (Lane) Silva.

Born in Gloucester on Dec. 31, 1930, he was the son of the late Frances R. Silva. He was a graduate of the Gloucester High School, Class of 1948, where he was a Lieutenant in the Reserve Officer's Training Corps. He was also a graduate of Northeastern University in 1961.

A U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, he served as a machinist and was honorably discharged in February of 1955. Following his high school graduation, he worked at the United Shoe Machinery Corporation in Beverly until his induction into the U.S. Navy.

Bob was employed by GTE Sylvania for 35 years. He began as a draftsperson and ultimately worked his way up to lighting design sales manager. This position afforded him the opportunity to travel throughout the world, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Sylvania Management Club, and was a former chairman of the Sylvania Scholarship Committee. Bob was also a former vice-president of the Magnolia Beach Corporation.

In addition to his wife of 53 years, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Terry (Conners) Silva, Cheryl Silva, Pamela Silva, three grandchildren, Robert Douglas Silva, Mark Silva, and Katie Silva, his sister, Barbara Sawler, four uncles, Lawrence, John R., Ralph A. and Richard Silva, two nieces, Kathleen Vitagliano and Sandra Sawler, grandnieces, Sara Vitagliano and Marisa Pistenmaa and numerous cousins.