"Betty: My condolences on Mannie's passing."
In loving memory of
Manuel C. Silvia, Jr
February 20, 1923 - November 1, 2007
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.
Tributes
"Betty ~ We were sad to learn of Manny's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Pat and Butch Johnston"
"Bob, I'm so sorry to hear of your dads passing. I hold fond memories of when I lived next door above the garages. Your dad always had a kind word, not to mention a gift of vegetables from his garden. You are all in my thoughts and prayers."
"Dear Manny "C" Family, I was fortunate to be manny's friend and I am very grateful. I will always remember all the fun times at KofC Middletown Pitch League. I enjoyed so much being his Pitch Partner and playing against him. He was so good at cards. My mother was so happy to have seen him before his passing. Manny always had kind words to my family. He was a Great Man! God Bless Manny "C" and Family. Sincerely, Paul and Susan."
"Steve, We send our condolences to you, your mom and entire family on the passing of Manny."
"Uncle Mannie will be missed much."
"Uncle Manny was a wonderful man. Though we lost contact through the years I still remember his big smile and warm hugs. I will miss him dearly. I know he is up with the saints with Gramps Enrico Tonet and Nana Julia TOnet playing Cribage and cards as I remembered in my youth. My condolences to the the family. Love and Blessings, Deidra Murray Harmer- Cathy Tonet Murray's daughter"
"My thoughts and condolences are with the family of Manny "C". He was a special character with a radiant smile and a kind heart extended to all. He will be missed."
"Dear Betty & Family, My thoughts & prayers are with you all, as is my sincere appreciation for all Manny "C" did for me, among many others, at the Middletown K of C & elsewhere. Always fun-loving, despite it all, but first & foremost, a gentleman & friend. God Bless You Manny, & may peace be with you my friend. Sincerely, Art Berluti"
"Our deepest sympathy in the great loss of such a wonderful man. Our thought and prayers are with you all. Sincerely, Lydia, Christine, Brian, & Michelle Davis"
"Dear Betty and family, I am so sorry to hear of Mannie's passing, and was especially sorry to hear that he endured such serious illness at the end of his life. I don't think I ever saw him without a radiant smile. I am grateful to have known him, and to have him feature in my many wonderful Middletown memories! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Love, Jeanine"
"Bobby, I am very sorry to to hear about the passing of your father,he was a great man. I do recall many good pitch games at the K of C hall. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very sad time. peace."
"Our prayers and condolances on the passing of Manny, Lots of good memories and humor throughout the years. We will never forget him. He always was honest and supportive. bob and paula"
"When I first met Manny it was the first time I had heard the "C" added for "Manny C." Not being of Portuguese ancestry and not understanding the volumne of Manny Silvia's in town I thought he was Manny SEE. He'd tease me about that. He'd always tell me about my g.grandfather Chief Albro stopping him as a teen for running the red light near his home. Manny could tease and receive one right back and that made his company & friendship fun to be with. His old stories of the "old fire barn" , the one engine and some of the fires back then were great to listen to as well as his laugh with each passing memoroy. His side glance if you were teasing him let you know that he just might take a poke at you. Then he'd laugh. Manny "C" will always be Manny SEE to me. God bless him as he rides the engine for the last time."