Nicolau Silva

Nicolau "Nick" Silva, 81, of Slade St. Fall River went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday at the Crawford Skilled & Rehabilitation Center.

He was an only child and was the son of the late Joao de Sousa Silva and Fernanda Mendonca Ventura. He was the loving husband of nearly 55 years to Maria da Conceicao Arruda also from Sao Miguel Azores.

Nicolau was born in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Azores, where he played soccer for the great Micalense team, when he was in his late teens and early 20's. He also played in Lisbon Portugal for the Belenenses professional soccer team while serving in the Portuguese Navy in Lisbon. Many of his generation still consider him one of the greatest soccer players of that time.

An avid reader, he enjoyed following politics and reading the Herald News and the Portuguese Times newspapers. He worked in the garment industry and with Lightolier Company in Fall River for over 25 years, and retired from there in 1995.

He leaves 5 children, son Senior Master Sergeant Herbert Silva, (Ret USAF) of Midlothian Virginia, and his wife Judy, (grandchildren Matthew and Brianne Silva); son Louis Silva of Warwick RI and Bonita Springs Fl and his wife Joya (grandchildren Jonathan, Andrew and Lauren Silva); John Silva and his wife Kim of Westport MA, (grandson Marshall and Nicolas Silva); a daughter Fernanda Da Ponte and her husband Joao of Fall River, (grandchildren Christopher, Jaqueline and Nicole Da Ponte); Edward Silva and wife Jennifer of Fall River, (granddaughters Teresa and Abbigail Silva); 12 grandchildren total, numerous nephews and nieces and Aunt Maria Ventura of Fall River.

His funeral will be held on Friday at 9 a.m. from the Oliveira Funeral Home 2064 South Main St. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Good Shepherd Parish. Interment in Notre Dame Cemetery. Visitation Thursday 5- 8 p.m.