Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Antone E. and Mary (Medeiros) Sylvia, John was a long-time resident of Dartmouth and a communicant of St. Mary’s Church, Dartmouth.
Mr. Sylvia proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II, attaining the rank of Seaman First Class. He served aboard the USS Iowa in the Pacific and fought in 13 major engagements. He was a guard to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was the recipient of numerous medals including the World War II Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal- 8 stars, Philippine Liberation Medal-2 stars and the Good Conduct Medal. John was a champion lightweight boxer while in the Navy. John and his family traveled the country to attend the USS Iowa reunions.
He was an accomplished and talented stone mason who owned John A. Sylvia Construction Co. in Dartmouth, retired, but continued to consult through 2000. He was a long-time member of Mason Union Local 39 in New Bedford.
John was raised on his family’s farm and grew and sold produce and dairy products to Hood Dairy. He was a member and former Commandant of the VFW on Brock Avenue in New Bedford. John enjoyed boating, fishing, painting, playing cards and trips to the casinos. He loved the company of his children and grandchildren whom he adored.
He is survived by his children, John Sylvia, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Port Orange, FL, Alice Lisa Kopaczewski and her husband Michael, Tony Sylvia and his wife Carol, Jeanne Ferreira and her husband Richard, Joyce Amaral and her husband Michael and Jo-Ann Sylvia and her husband Richard all of Dartmouth, and Amy Medeiros and her husband Michael of Deland, FL; fourteen grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Helen Perreira.
His Funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 9 a.m. from the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME at DARTMOUTH, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 783 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth. Burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Monday 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the New Bedford Veterans Transitional Program, 20 Willis St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or Holy Ghost Society of Horseneck, PO Box 70635, Dartmouth, MA 02747 or Our Lady of Angel, c/o St. Mary’s Church, 440 Harding Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719. For online tributes please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com
