Manuel C. Silvia, Jr

Middletown, RI - Manuel C. Silvia, Jr., Retired Middletown Fire Chief, 84, of Sachuest Way, Middletown, RI, formerly of Turner Road, Middletown, died Thursday, November 1, 2007 at Grand Islander Health Care Center, Middletown, RI. He was the husband of Mary E. Ferreira Rodrigues Silvia. Born in Middletown, RI on February 20, 1923, he was the son of the late Manuel C. and Mary A. Silvia.Mr. Silvia grew up in Middletown and attended Rogers High School. In his youth he worked for the Twombley Estate in Newport and at age 18 he entered the United States Army for World War II. He served in the European Theater and was awarded the Purple Heart. Upon his return to Middletown he began work for the Middletown Volunteer Fire Department on Paradise Avenue. On March 1, 1952 he began his career as a full time Middletown Fireman. Through his career he was promoted through the ranks to Deputy Chief then appointed Chief of the Middletown Fire Department in 1974. He was a Middletown fireman for 25 years of service and retired in 1977. Mannie C, as he was known to his friends, had a very active retirement. He loved golf and was a member of the Green Valley Country Club. He also loved fishing, working in his greenhouse and tending to his gardens. He was a master handyman. He worked for several years as the VIN inspector in Middletown and worked at Festival Productions during the Jazz and Folk Festivals. He also volunteered at Moore Blooms.Mannie C was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Middletown as a 50 year honorary life member, the Vasco daGama Society, and he was past president of the Seven Castles Club. Through his career he was also an active member of the New England Association of Fire Chiefs, the Newport County Fireman?s League, and Past President of the Middletown Retired Firefighters Association. Mannie C was also very active with youth sports. He was instrumental in starting the Boys and Girls Club of Middletown and worked as the Director of Middletown Recreation Department. He was a coach and manager in the Middletown Little League, Babe Ruth League, and was a former player and manager in the Newport Sunset League. In 1966 he was given the Hugh McGowan Memorial Plaque for Athletic Endeavors for Newport County by Words Unlimited. Mannie C was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan, and enjoyed a good game of cards with friends at the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife Mary E. ?Betty? Silvia of Middletown, RI , a son Robert W. Silvia and his wife Kristen of Middletown, RI, and two step sons Ronald B. Rodrigues and his wife Gail of Tiverton, RI, and Steven P. Rodrigues and his wife Karen of Middletown, RI, two grandaughters Amy Sullivan and Cara Faria, and step-grandchildren Stephen Diomandes, Matthew Diomandes, Michael Rodrigues, Ronald A. Rodrigues, Ashley E. Rodrigues; and great grandchildren Gavin R. Sullivan, Catherine E. Sullivan, John Faria III, and Dylan Diomandes. He is preceded in death by his first wife Mary L. Chaves Silvia, and a step daughter Sharon L. Diomandes.His funeral will be held on Tuesday, November 6, at 8:00am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00am in Jesus Saviour Church, Broadway And Vernon Avenue, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columbas Cemetery in Middletown. Calling hours will be held Monday, November 5 from 4-8 in the Memorial Funeral Home.Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Middletown Rescue Wagon Association, 239 Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI 02842.