Obituary of Joao Pedro Silva

PEABODY -- Joao P. Silva, 81 of Salem, passed away Thursday at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Etelvina (Lima) Silva, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage. Joao was born in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal on June 29, 1936, son of the late Manuel and Rosa (Silveira) Silva. He was raised and educated there before moving to the United States in 1970. Prior to his retirement, he worked as a machinist for GTE Sylvania for over 25 years. He was a faithful parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Peabody, where he was part of founding the church, and enjoyed helping out at church functions. He was also a member of Our Lady of Help Society, Portuguese American War Veterans Post 1, Clube de Luis Camoes, the Azorean Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Ghost, and the Banda Recreativa de Peabody. In his spare time, he enjoyed tending to his garden, making his own wine, and fishing. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Besides his loving wife of 57 years, he is survived by his children and their spouses, John M. Silva & his wife Helia, Maria J. Freitas & her husband Vitor, Paul J. Silva, and Maria Coolidge Silva; his grandchildren, Ringo Sousa, Kirbie Sousa, Kassy Sousa, Patrick Sousa, Shantel Silva, Paul Silva Jr., and Nina (Amanda) Sousa; his great-grandchildren, Julianna Sousa Abreu and Brogin Riley Sousa; a sister-in-law, Biondina Silveira; a nephew, David Silveira, a niece, Maria Pereira, and many cousins and friends in the Portuguese community. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, November 24, from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. Peabody. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 25 at 8:00 AM from the funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 50 Walsh Ave., Peabody. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem.