Louis D. Silveri

HOLDEN – Dr. Louis D. Silveri, Professor Emeritus at Assumption College, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 3rd, 2004, at Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his adoring family. In Finger Lakes, NY, a family unknown to the Silveri family now celebrates life as one of their loved ones received an organ donation from Mr. Silveri.
He leaves his loving wife of 47 years, Audrey, six children and their spouses, seven grandchildren, and a sister, Joy Simpson of Brockton, MA. His children and their spouses are: daughter Ann Silveri and Tom Meier of Stafford, CT; son Louis P. and his wife Vicky Silveri of Marion, AR; daughter Juliet Silveri and her husband Brian LaGasse of Groton, MA; daughter Jean Silveri and her husband Miles Cunningham of Charlestown, MA; son Robert and his wife Alejandra Silveri of Holden; and daughter Kathryn Silveri of South Boston. He welcomed his children’s spouses as members of the family and developed a special relationship with each one.
He reveled in the company of his seven grandchildren: Paul, Cheryl, and Emma Silveri of Marion, AR, who spent summers with their grandparents for many years; Estefania and Alex Silveri, who lived next door to him and for whom he was the chief babysitter; and twins Clarissa and Charlotte LaGasse of Groton, MA, who brought special joy into his life.
Lou grew up in Brockton, MA, son of Luigi and Mary (Cartullo) Silveri, later settling in Holden at the same address for 41 years. After serving in the United States Army during the Korean War, he went on to receive his Master’s Degree in American History from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and his Doctorate in American History from St. John’s University, NY. Under Fulbright Fellowships, he studied at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, Raleigh.
Lou was a history professor at Assumption College in Worcester for 35 years. Teaching was his great love and after retirement from Assumption College, he continued to teach part time at Assumption and Anna Maria Colleges and developed popular courses in World War II, the American Civil War and the Vietnam and Korean Wars at the Holden Senior Center. He was still teaching up until his death.
He was well known for his work in Appalachian History, published many articles on this subject, and collected numerous oral histories of people in Asheville, NC and Berea, KY. The large collection of oral history at the University of North Carolina in Asheville now carries the name “Dr. Louis D. Silveri Oral History Collection”.
Lou loved to travel with his family and took them on numerous camping trips and on his sabbatical leaves, when the whole family moved to Asheville, NC and Berea, KY. He commented in later years that camping was the only way he could afford to travel with the family and he loved the travel and “hated every minute of the camping”.
In later years, he purchased a vacation home in Ogunquit, ME, which, to his great joy, was usually filled with family and friends.
Lou was an avid Red Sox fan and gloried in the recent Red Sox triumphs.
The funeral will be held on Monday, November 8th, from the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden, with a celebration of life and Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson, MA. Burial at Grove Cemetery in Holden will follow. Donations in his memory can be made to Notre Dame Academy, 425 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609.
Website: www.milesfuneralhome.com