Antonio "Tony" Silva

Antonio “Tony” Manuel Silva, 65, of Wilmington, NC, died Wednesday, February 20, 2008, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. He was born in Lisbon, Portugal, December 29, 1942, son of Irene Lopes Baptista Silva of Portugal and the late Albano M. Silva. Mr. Silva was a Vietnam Veteran having retired after serving honorably as a proud member of the United States Army Special Forces. He was also a member of the Special Forces Association. Mr. Silva was an outdoorsman, always staying busy as a “jack of all trades”, and enjoyed sailing, hunting, and was an avid fisherman. In addition to his mother he is survived by his wife of twenty-four years, Laura Avery Silva; sons, Anthony Silva and wife Denise of Louisville, KY, and Jonny Silva and wife Denise of Hope Mills, NC; a daughter, Cynthia Holmes and husband Donnie of Boone, IA; eight grandchildren; and a sister, Maria Louisa Radu and husband Nick of Littleton, CO. The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 22, 2008, at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel, 4108 South College Road, Wilmington, NC. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 23, 2008, at Oleander Memorial Gardens, Wilmington, NC, by the Rev. Jim Everette. Military honors will be accorded by an honor guard from Ft. Bragg, NC. Memorial gifts may be made to the National Heart Assist and Transplant Fund, 150 N. Radnor Chester Road, Suite F-120, Radnor, PA, 19087, or Special Forces Association, 4990 Doc Bennett Road, P.O. 41436 Fayetteville, NC, 28309.