WILMINGTON, MA — George R. Silva, fondly known as “Rick” to his family and friends, age 58, of Wilmington and Florida, died peacefully on September 21, 2017, at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston.
Rick was born in Lowell, MA on January 24, 1959; he was the cherished only child to George and Dolores (Amaro) Silva. Rick was raised in Wilmington and attended Wilmington Public Schools; he went on to Austin Prep High School in Reading where he graduated with the Class of 1977. Rick grew up in a “tight knit” and very loving family; he was doted on by his parents, aunts, uncles, and he was very close to his cousins; they were actually more like siblings.
Rick always had a passion for photography; following high school he went to New England School of Photography in Boston and then on to Northeastern University. Rick did some work for the Wilmington/Tewksbury Town Crier as well as several other local newspapers; he was also a member of the Associated Press as a free-lance photographer.
Rick married Patty Hodgson in 1983 and in 1993 they moved to Florida with their two children, John and Melissa. Rick enjoyed being a dad and especially enjoyed his role as “Vo” to his grandchildren; Rudy, Katelynn, and Andrew. Rick loved to be near the beach and in his younger years he also enjoyed golfing. Rick spent 18 years in Florida before returning to Wilmington several years ago.
Rick will be fondly remembered as a BIG New England Sports fan; of course, his favorite team was the New England Patriots and for his love for his family and friends. Rick will forever be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Rick was the cherished son of Dolores E. (Amaro) Silva and the late George J. Silva of Wilmington, beloved husband of Patricia (Hodgson) Silva of Boynton Beach, FL, devoted father of John R. Silva & wife Rebecca of Foxborough, MA and Melissa J. (Silva) DeFreitas of Florida, Loving “Vo” of Rodolfo “Rudy”, Katelynn, and Andrew. Dear nephew of Rosa & Edward Sadowski and John & Phyllis Amaro all of Wilmington, Donald Silva of Arlington, Lorraine Gibbons of Haverhill and Peggy Silva of Everett. Special cousin of Leeann Sadowski, Rosann Guarino, Robin Gearty, Cherylann Arvanitis and his “Silva Family Cousins” Marianne, Joe, Diane, Susan, Maria, Robert, Richard, Albert, Debbie, Donald, Jean Marie, Linda and the late Donna. Rick is also survived by a large extended family and friends.
Family & friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Wednesday, September 27th at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, at 10:00 a.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting Hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 26th from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
(NOTE: The above obituary is from Nichols Funeral Home.)
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