Paul Arthur Silva, 74, Was Friendly, Giving Person

Paul Arthur Silva, a lifetime resident of West Tisbury, died Monday, March 27, at the Windemere Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Oak Bluffs after a long illness. He was 74.

He was born on Seven Gates Farm Feb. 27, 1932, and lived on the farm with his grandparents until his family moved to the village of North Tisbury.

Paul's grandfather Manuel Silva (Manuel Machado Azevedo) was the second Portuguese citizen to settle in Chilmark. He left St. George, Azores, on a whaler and soon after entered the employ of the late professor Nathaniel S. Shaler at Seven Gates. Throughout Paul's early years his little hand would often reach up to his grandfather's for guidance and security. His family of his mother Anna, grandmother Rita and uncles Arthur and Antone watched, too, as the little boy enjoyed life on the large estate: the dairy farm producing milk, making cheese and butter, gardening, haying, horseback rides and cart rides, and also the trucking of stone to make the Vineyard Haven breakwater.

After the death of his grandparents, his mother and uncles bought the land abutting the Baptism Society and moved the family to the North Tisbury village. In 1944, while living next to the old Baptist church building, it was torn down, transported to Vineyard Haven and recycled. The bronze bell which had been cast by Paul Revere was donated to the Millbrook School. Paul's playground expanded to North Tisbury where he rode his bicycle, fished, trapped, hunted and had a paper route.

One day when he was on his paper route Mr. Adams gave him a lamb, and soon Snookie had a bicycle ride and was made cozy behind the kitchen stove. Another pet he had was a calico cat named Buttons. He went to Ole Borgen's for ice cream and candy and listened to him play the accordion.

Because he needed to help with the family income, Paul became employed at Seven Gates Farm at an early age. His journey back on his bicycle took him along the North Road, past the Old Mill, and rounding the corner he passed through one of the stone gates that gave the estate its name. Stretching out before him was the vast big field and off in the distance the woods climbed the hills. Unspoiled trees, twisted by time and growth, grew by the roadside and he could hear brooks gurgling. The dirt roads were endless; they took him to places with such intriguing names as Little Old Lady's Cellar, Goat Rocks, Witch Brook, Salt Works, Hickory Hollow and Ram's Hill. Near the end of the bicycle ride was the big barn, dairy, silos and other buildings. In this manner, he arrived to work as his grandfather had done for 40 years.

Later, when he got his driver's license, he drove the farm truck into Vineyard Haven to pick-up supplies and make other necessary stops. He never forgot the farm and was heard to say "he was the last person born on the Seven Gates Farm."

Root Beer, as he was called, was a friendly and giving person and liked to wave and visit with his friends. He would bring flowers, a pie from Blake's and at holiday times a fruit basket. He was delighted to see others' reactions when they thanked him. Along the Island roads he could be seen driving his gray Chevy truck, doing his care taking or rubbish pick-up and making his favorite stops, among them Dippin' Donuts, Up-Island Cronig's, Menemsha, Linda Jean's and Roger Blake's.

He also was employed for Up-Island Auto and retired as a self-employed house painter. He attended the West Tisbury and Tisbury schools. He was a member of the West Tisbury fire department.

Before entering Windemere, Paul was lovingly cared for by his family, Robert Maciel Sr., his wife, Barbara, and their family. He is survived by many relatives and close friends.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, April 22, at 11 a.m. at the West Tisbury cemetery, with the Rev. George Eli officiating.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the West Tisbury Firemen's Association, P.O. Box 278, West Tisbury, MA 02575.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs.