Gilbert R. (Gilly) Silvia died at the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich on June 8. He was 77.

He was born in Vineyard Haven on April 5, 1933, to Antone T. and Inez (Manning) Silvia.

Gilly worked for his father for many years before taking over Midland Plumbing and Heating, where he became a master plumber, and also worked alongside his two sons and grandson. He was a fireman in Vineyard Haven for over 10 years and also a fireman in the Korean War in which he served from 1951 to 1953. He was a proud member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). Gilly loved fishing, hunting, gardening, golfing and spending time with his wife and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara (Francis) Silvia of Vineyard Haven; his children, Kenneth P. Silvia, Michael J. Silvia and his wife Danelle of Vineyard Haven and Deborah and her husband Ronald Denoncourt of Plymouth; his sister Ruth VanBrakle of Edgartown; six grandchildren, Michael J. Dube, Adam and Travis Lanoie, Antone Silvia, and Jacob and Luke Silvia; and one great-grandchild, Damon Silvia. He was predeceased by his siblings Kenneth, Preston and Verna Silvia.