Robert A. DeSilva, 65, Was Veteran of U.S. Navy

Robert A. DeSilva of Oak Bluffs died Sunday, April 13 in Boston. He was 65.

Mr. DeSilva, the husband of June A. (Crawford) DeSilva, was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y. on Aug. 31, 1937 to Mary E. (Castro) DeSilva and the late Antonio G. DeSilva. Growing up in Mount Vernon, he served his country with four years' service in the U.S. Navy.

The DeSilvas married in 1963, and summered on the Vineyard before moving here year round in 1974. Mr. DeSilva worked as a bookkeeper for Maciel Marine of Vineyard Haven. He was also a member of the Portuguese American Club, Oak Bluffs.

Besides his wife and mother, he is survived by his daughter, Shona C. DeSilva and her husband Lee Bartolotta, and one granddaughter, Sophia C. Bartolotta all of California; his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Manuel DaSilva of Somers, N.Y.; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Hazel Faria of Oak Bluffs; and two nephews, William and Graham Faria of Georgia and Arizona.

A graveside service for was held Wednesday, April 16, at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Oak Bluffs, and full military honors were offered by the Veterans of Martha's Vineyard. Donations in Mr. DeSilva's memory may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 300, Memphis, Tenn. 38148-0552. Arrangements were handled by Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs.