Obituary of Richard C. Silvia

Richard Charles Silvia, a retired Electrical Engineer, passed away at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center on Friday evening, May 4th, 2018. The beloved husband of Catherine “Kay” (Fraser) he was 82 years old. Dick was born in Cambridge. He was the only child born to the late Genevieve and Richard Silvia. He was raised and educated in Cambridge and a graduate of Cambridge Rindge High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Northeastern University. Dick and Kay met when he was 13 years old and Kay was just 12 when she moved into the house across the street from Dick in Cambridge. They dated all through High School and college and married at St. Peter’s Church in Cambridge. Dick was looking forward to the first of his grandchildren marrying this Saturday, May 12 on what would have been Dick and Kay’s 62nd wedding anniversary. Dick had a long and successful career as an Electrical Engineer. He started his career working at American Science and Engineering in Billerica. He worked on developing the scientific instruments for NASA most specifically to the Apollo program. Dick ended his career working for Digital retiring in 1993. Dick and Kay moved to Burlington in 1960 where they would raise their 3 children and become part of the community. Dick was one of the founders of the Burlington Hockey & Skating Program in Burlington. He was a hands-on Dad coaching his sons in hockey and his daughter, Linda in softball. Dick and Kay loved to travel and had visited many destinations including Hawaii, Ireland, England and many of the Caribbean Islands. After his retirement, Dick and Kay enjoyed visiting many different parts of Florida during the winter months. Dick was a unique husband in that he loved to do the food shopping and was a great cook. Two of his favorite recipes that he was known for were his homemade meatloaf and his Portuguese stuffing. His grandchildren loved cooking with him especially Michelle who helped make the Thanksgiving stuffing with him every year since she was 5 years old. Dick also loved his home and enjoyed just puttering around the house and doing yard work. Dick brought a wealth of wonderful resources to his grandchildren. What made Dick special as a grandfather was that he always made time for his grandchildren and they were an important part of his life. Dick wasn’t just a great role model for his grandchildren but also a great friend. Dick had an outgoing personality. He was one of those people who was always smiling. He was known for his good sense of humor and great approach to life. Dick always placed his family first. Nothing has brought him more peace and contentment in life than simply being a good husband, father and grandfather. Dick was the beloved husband of 61 years of Catherine (Fraser) and the loving father of Rick & his wife Susan of Burlington, Tom & his wife Sue of Tyngsborough and Linda Hebert & her significant other Paul Goss of Chelmsford. He was also the proud grandfather of Ricky, Jason, Michael & Christopher Silvia and David, Matthew and Michelle Hebert. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Wednesday, May 9 at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours are Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Burial will be private. Memorials in Dick’s name may be made to the Burlington Council on Aging, 61 Center St., Burlington, MA 01803