Antone Joseph Silvia

Middletown, RI - Antone Joseph Silvia, 87, of 649 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, RI, passed away died Sunday, December 17, 2006 at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI. He was the husband of the late Emily Cayton Silvia. Born in Middletown, RI on December 14, 1919, he was the son of the late Jesse and Angelica Furtado Silvia.Mr. Silvia was a communicant of Jesus Saviour Church his whole life and was an active former member of its Holy Name Society. His family was one of the original members of the church. Until his retirement well into his 70s Mr. Silvia had worked as a custodian at St. Michaels Country Day School in Newport, RI for nearly 55 years. And even after his retirement he still went to St. Michael?s to make sure they were doing it right. When Mr. Silvia was a young man he worked as a gardener along with his father at several Newport estates. During WWII he worked in the engine room of the ferry that brought workers and military personnel to the torpedo station on Goat Island. He enjoyed building birdhouses, mowing his lawn on his John Deere Tractor and spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends. He loved going to NASCAR races. His coffee club group was known to hang out at the local car salvage yard and he always came home with more than what he went with. His constant companion was his faithful dog C.J. He is survived by two daughters Dorothy Allen of Middletown, RI, and Carol McGowan of Mountaintop, PA, three sons Donald Silvia, John Silvia and Lawrence Silvia all of Middletown, RI, nine grandchildren Lily Silvia, Emily Allen, Donald Silvia, John Silvia, and Brian Allen all of Middletown, RI, Charles Street of Jackson, MI, Chris McGowan, Jack McGowan and Josh McGowan all of Mountaintop, PA, two great grandchildren, Devin Allen and Ashley Silvia both of Middletown, RI, and many nieces and nephews and dear friends. He was the brother of the late Rose Morinho, Mary Homen, Jesse Silvia and Manuel Silvia all who had resided in Middletown, RI. His funeral will be held on Saturday, December 23, 2006, at 8:00 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 am in Jesus Saviour Church, Broadway and Vernon Avenue, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columbas Cemetery in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 22, 2006, from 4-7pm in the Memorial Funeral Home. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 931 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 3004, Warwick, RI, 02886.