SILVA CHARLES EDWARD

CPT Charles "Ed" Edward Silva was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 09/13/2016 at the age of 75.7 from Parkinson's Disease
Southington, CT
Flight Class 63-6
Date of Birth 12/21/1940
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 128 AHC in 65-66
Call sign in Vietnam TOMAHAWK 12
This information was provided by Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Charles Edward Silva of Southington passed away after an 18 year courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease at the age of 75, on September 13, 2016, surrounded by family and friends. Born in Norfolk, VA, December 21, 1940, he was the son of the late Joseph Charles Silva and Mildred Bernice Kamendulis Silva.

Eddie, as he was known by all, grew up in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and graduated from Gloucester High School. He went on to the University of New Hampshire where he graduated as a history major. He played hockey, football, and lacrosse for the University teams.

Ed was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the U.S. Army after completing the ROTC program at UNH. He eventually was deployed to Phu Loi, Hoa, twenty-five miles north of Saigon (now Ho Chi Min City) in South Vietnam, where he served as a helicopter pilot. Captain Silva received eighteen air medals, flew several hundred missions and was shot down three times. He recovered one of the rounds that had been fired into his aircraft and turned it into a necklace, which he wore while in Vietnam for good luck. He carried a number of notables during his tour including Ann-Margret and Vice President Humphrey. Ed also enjoyed a drink of vodka with Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin at the Paris Air Show.

While in the service, Captain Silva was stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia; Fort Wolters, Texas; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Munich, Germany; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Vietnam; and Fort Knox, Kentucky.

After completing active duty, Eddie settled in Southington, Connecticut where he worked for Allstate Insurance for the next thirty years. During that time, he completed his twenty years of service in the Connecticut National Guard. He also served as president of the Southington Rotary Club, served on the Board of the Southington YMCA, and the Board of Directors of the Northern Little League. He was also an active member of the girls and boys sports programs in Southington. Ed loved sports, especially playing golf, rooting on the Boston Red Sox and all Boston sports teams.

Eddie, as he was known to his friends and colleagues, was a man who defined the meaning of perseverance, courage and love. He was a coach, mentor and friend to the very end. We learned to count our time together by the moments we shared and the laughs we had, which were many.

Ed Silva is the proud father of four devoted children: Ed Silva Jr. and Nicole Fallon of Milford, Kevin Silva and wife Mary of Carlisle, PA, Melinda Silva and wife Denise of Southington, and Julie Wlodarczyk of Tolland. He has ten special grandchildren: Katie, Matthew, Brian, Megan, Kent, Lucas, Grace, Charlie, Max and Maya and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Bob and Elinor Gregory, lifelong friend Roger Lee, and former son-in-law Matthew Wlodarczyk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 10:15 am from the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 North Main Street, Southington to Saint Dominic's Church, 1050 Flanders Road for a Mass at 11 am. Calling hours will be 4-7 pm on Friday, September 16, 2016. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Southington VFW, 68 Main St, Southington, CT or American Parkinson Disease Association, 27 Allendale Dr, North Haven, CT 06473.

This information was last updated 09/30/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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