Richard R. Silva

Richard R. Silva (March 13, 1922 January 2, 2009) was an American politician who was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and mayor of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Richard R. Silva
Mayor of Gloucester, Massachusetts
In office
1984–1988
Preceded byLeo I. Alper
Succeeded byWilliam B. Squillace
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives[1]
In office
1971–1984
Preceded byDavid E. Harrison
Succeeded byPatricia Fiero
Personal details
BornMarch 13, 1922
Gloucester, Massachusetts
DiedJanuary 27, 2009 (aged 86)
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Resting placeWesleyan Cemetery[2]
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Alma materGloucester High School

Early life

Silva was born on March 13, 1922 in Gloucester to James and Ellen (Simmons) Silva. He attended Gloucester public schools and graduated from Gloucester High School in 1939. During World War II he served as a signalman in the United States Coast Guard. After the war Silva was a service technician for the Massachusetts Electric Company.[2][3]

Political career

From 1963 to 1971, Silva served on the Gloucester School Committee. He served as the committee's vice-chairman for three years.[2]

In 1970, Silva was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives by upsetting David E. Harrison, a Gloucester Democrat who had been chosen by Senator Edward M. Kennedy to serve as Chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. During his campaign, Silva emphasized Harrison's absentee record and his opposition to cutting the number of representatives in the Massachusetts House from 240 to 160, a proposal that Gloucester voters overwhelmingly supported.[4] During his tenure, Silva including established and chaired of the New England Committee for the 200-mile limit, filed legislation which established two ocean sanctuaries, filed legislation for the development of Gloucester Harbor, co-sponsored the "Bottle Bill," proposed the Commonwealth obtain a decommissioned US Navy ship and convert it into a minimum security prison, and introduced a bill that would make the Right whale Massachusetts' official marine mammal.[2][5][6]

While serving in the House, Silva was a director of the Gloucester Little League, Addison Gilbert Hospital, and Sawyer Free Library.[3]

From 1984 to 1988, Silva was mayor of Gloucester. During his tenure he budgeted funds for the refurbishment of Newell Stadium and reached a deal to the keep the National Marine Fisheries Service office in Gloucester.[2]

Later life and death

After leaving office, Silva served chairman of the Gloucester Fisheries Commission, was a director of the Sawyer Free Library, and was appointed by the Speaker of the House to study hazardous waste facing the shellfish industry.[2]

Silva died on January 27, 2009, in Gloucester.[2]

See also

References

  1. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Elections Division. "State Representative elections: 5th Essex district". PD43+. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  2. "Former mayor Richard R. Silva dies at 86". The Cape Ann Beacon. January 28, 2009. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  3. 1983-1984 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  4. Kurkjian, Stephen (November 5, 1970). "Never So Few Republican State Senators". The Boston Globe.
  5. Zisson, Richard (March 26, 1981). "Richard R. Silva (R-Gloucester) proposed...". The Boston Globe.
  6. King, Nick (December 6, 1979). "8428 bills tossed into hopper". The Boston Globe.
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