Obituary: Joseph Sylvia, 84

Mr. Joseph Sylvia, age 84 of State Street, Bristol, died Sunday, December 14, 2014 at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, surrounded by his loving family.

He was the husband of Helen (Fernandes) Sylvia, his wife of 54 years.

Born in Bristol and a lifelong resident, he was a son of the late Manuel C. and Mary C. (Barbosa) Sylvia. Joseph served during the Korean Conflict in the US Army as a Sergeant and served previously following WWII. He was an Electrician for Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation both in their former Bristol and Portsmouth Plants for 20 years, retiring in the early 1970’s.

Joseph was a Life Member and Past Captain of the Ever Ready Engine and Hose Co., No. 2, a member of the Bristol Rescue Squad and a former E.M.T. and in later years served on the Bristol Fire Police. He also served his community as a Past Chairman and member of the Board of Tax Assessment Review and a Past Chairman of the Bristol Democratic Town Committee.He was the former President of Bay State Street Machines. Joseph was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church, Bristol.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Kimberly A. Sylvia-Mendenhall (Edward) of Rehoboth, MA and Jennifer Ferri (Brian) of Saunderstown, RI, two sisters, Mary Lima (James) and Gertrude Martin (the late John) both of Bristol. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Manuel and John Sylvia.

Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol, Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 9:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Mary’s Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, December 17, 2014 from 4:00-7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bristol Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 775, Bristol, RI 02809.

For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com