José da Cunha Silva, age 90, of Peabody, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, August 25, 2022. He was predeceased by his loving wife Eduina E Silva, who passed away on February 11th, 2022, with who he shared nearly 65 years of marriage.

Born in Luz, Graciosa, Azores, Portugal, he was the son of the late Manuel Germano and Carlota Isabel (da Cunha) Silva. He was raised and educated in Portugal. José emigrated to the United States in 1957, settling in Peabody where he has since resided.

José had been employed in the leather industry for over 35 years before retiring. Thirty of those years, were spent working side by side with his wife. José was a member of the Lady of Help Hall as well as the Brotherhood of the Holy Ghost Society.

Mr. Silva enjoyed gardening, dancing, playing guitar and singing. He had a beautiful voice and especially loved singing Fado (Portuguese folk songs) with his family and friends at gatherings. José was very proud of his grape vines and took such pleasure in making wine and Angelica every fall. José had a beautiful smile and made friends wherever he went. Always willing to lend a hand, he would drive family and neighbors to doctors’ appointments and help translate for them. José was a wise man with a great sense of humor and always gave great advice.

Above all else, he truly loved his family and was very proud of their accomplishments. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be missed by all who knew him.

José is survived by his children, Donna Espinola and her husband, Celestino of Colchester, VT., his son and caregiver, Joseph M. Silva of Peabody and New York City, and Linda A. and her husband, John E. Kelley Jr. of Pelham, NH.; his grandchildren, Mathew Espinola, Jeffrey Espinola and his wife, Leilane, Meagan Kelley and her fiancé, Nicholas Manning, Caitlin Golden and her husband, Jonathan, Erin Thompson and her husband, Evrett, and John E. Kelley III and his wife, Shannon; his great grandchildren, Julia and Kevin Espinola, and Judah and Mairead Golden; his sisters, Maria Conçeicão Bettencourt of Peabody and Maria Benigna Terra of Pawtucket, RI; and many nieces and nephews. José was predeceased by his grandson, Andrew Espinola, and his brothers Anselmo, Humberto and Manuel da Cunha Silva.

José’s family would like to send a special thank you to Eli his home health aide for her compassionate care over the past 5 years.

Arrangements: His funeral will be held on from the Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 3 Margin St. Salem, at 10:00 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, on Tuesday, August 30, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Ghost Society, 20 Howley Street, Peabody, MA 01960 or AgeSpan (formally North Shore Elder Services) 280 Merrimack St. Ste 400, Lawrence, MA, 01843. Please write Donation in memory of José da Cunha Silva in memo of check.