Obituary of Samuel J. Silvestri

Silvestri, Samuel J. age 95 of Paterson at rest in Wayne on April 16, 2008. Beloved husband of the former Louise Rossi. Father of Donald J. Silvestri and his wife Cynthia of St. Petersburg, FL. and Kenneth L. Silvestri and his wife Patricia of Morristown. Grandfather of Lisa, Donald, Galen, Brielle and Caroline Silvestri. Great Grandfather of Alexander and Kailey Silvestri. Brother of Louis Silvestri of Wyckoff. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Born in Paterson, he was a lifelong resident. He was Deputy Police Chief for the Paterson Police Dept. for 35 years before retiring in 1977. Mr. Silvestri was Commander of Patrol, Communications, Vice, Internal Affairs and Acting Chief. He was an Honorary member of PBA Local # 1, Paterson. He was a member and past president of Columbia Police & Fire Association. He Authored his Autobiography entitled Borderline. He also wrote articles for Police Chiefs Magazine. Mr. Silvestri was also a member of the Italian-American Independent Club, Totowa. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from William Paterson College and was a Substitute Teacher for area High Schools after his retirement. He was a parishioner of St. Gerard R.C. Church, Paterson. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd., Totowa, on Monday at 9:00 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at St. Gerard R.C. Church, Paterson at 9:30 AM. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Friends may call Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers donations to the American Cancer Society N.J. Division Inc., Bergen County Unit, 20 Mercer Street, Hackensack, N.J. 07601 and/or St. Gerard R.C. Church, 501 West Broadway, Paterson, N.J. 07522 would be appreciated. For more information, go to www.festamemorial.com.