Sam was born to Maria and Manuel DaSilva on 12/18/1935 in Madeira, Portugal. He arrived in Attleboro, Mass. at the age of 11 where he resided until entering the Air Force upon graduation from high school. After serving his country he settled in Long Island and worked in the defense industry for a time.

He married his wife Ann on 2/27/1965 and ironically passed away on their 61st wedding anniversary 2/27/2026.  Work history included installing and maintaining equipment for the textile industry, installing planetarium equipment in schools and finally as a field service engineer for biomedical equipment.

His passion was flying and he got his private pilot's license while still living on Long Island, followed by instructor's license when he moved to Florida inn 1980. Upon retirement he started building his fiberglass mistress, a four place Velocity, which he built in his garage. Once the plane was ready for wings it was moved to our condo hangar at St. Petersburg Clearwater airport. Many happy hours were spent flying for pleasure and visiting friends and family across the USA. The first flight was in 1993 and it is still flying today.

Sam is survived by his wife Ann, three children, Stephen, Tedra Campbell, Sheri Wilson, eight grandchildren, Samantha Young, Matthew DaSilva, Alicia Rooney, Skyler, Jack, Jordan, Ayden DaSilva and Olivia Wilson and four great grandchildren Hunter and Nora DaSilva and Arlo and Rio Rooney as well as two brothers Anthony and John DaSilva.

Donations to Tunnel to towers or St. Jude's Children's Hospital in lieu of flowers please