Fernando DaSilva

Jamaica, NY — Fernando Da Silva, 85, died Sunday, May 8, 2016 at Calvary Hospital following a brave battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years of marriage, Dolores Perullo Da Silva; his son, Fernando Da Silva Jr; daughter, Maria Victoria Araujo; son in law, Adriano Araujo; granddaughters, Lauren Victoria and Taylor Marie; his brother, Belarmino Da Silva; his nephew Anthony Da Silva and niece Maria Walano; as well as a loving extended family and many close friends.

Born and raised in Estarreja, Portugal, the son of Anthony Da Silva and Maria Agusta Da Silva. Mr. Da Silva left Portugal to start his life in America and migrated to Jamaica, N.Y. in 1949 at 18 years of age. He attended night school and learned English fluently and earning his GED. An avid bicycle rider, riding his bicycle his whole life, well into his 80’s. He would travel everywhere in New York City on his bicycle; Jamaica, Queens Boulevard, Manhattan, Long Beach.

Carpenter by trade and a true humanitarian. As his tenure of over 30 years, the longest elected President of the Clube recreativo de Jamaica, Mr. Da Silva helped countless of Portuguese immigrants, just as himself, and their family transition into their new life in America for many decades. Mr. Da Silva was known to welcome everyone with open arms and always there to lend a helping hand and guidance. Over the years, he built the reputation of the Clube to be a place that the local Portuguese immigrants and those from afar could come to find community; providing people with a place to gather and celebrate their heritage; organizing dances, yearly picnics and other outings. During his presidency a school was built to provide the members' children an opportunity to learn their parent’s native language. He would never allow a friend to face their challenges alone, whether it by lending helping hand, shoulder to cry on, ear to listen; he organized countless of fundraisers, galvanize the community to gather supplies gather man power for the ones in need.

Mr. Da Silva would always say his proudest moments were those of fatherhood and being a grandfather, which is reflected in his children and grandchildren and the love they share with the world. Mr. Da Silva lived always putting his family and friends needs before his own and was always standing by their side during their most difficult moments. He loved his family dearly and never missed any of their milestones; first recitals, birthdays, tournaments, always there with his video camera capturing these moments for eternity.

Mr. Fernando Da Silva will always be loved and truly missed.

A Wake is being held Thursday, May 12th 2016 at Dignity Memorial, 224-39 Jamaica Ave., Queens Village, N.Y. 11428 (718) 465-3210. Funeral service to follow on Friday, May 13th 2016 at St Pius VRC Church, 106-12 Liverpool Street, Jamaica, N.Y. 11435