MARGARETVILLE - Ronald A. DeSilva peacefully entered eternal life surrounded by his children and family on Nov. 10, 2021, in Margaretville.

He was born in Arena, March 2, 1932, to Eleanor Cole and Frank DeSilva.

He graduated from Roxbury Central school in 1950 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. Ron served six years and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and at George Air Base in California. As Airman First Class, he was extremely proud of his service and his many medals of recognition while serving his country. He was also a member of the Margaretville American Legion Post 216 for most of his life and served as past commander. He rarely missed a Legion dinner and continued to mow the lawn for the Legion Hall as long as he was healthy and able.

Ron married Betty J. Sanford in 1957 and is survived by their five children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, daughter, Diane DeSilva Owens (Rod) of Troy; her children, Brianne (Matt) Hubbard of Greenwood, Indiana; and great-granddaughters, Ella, Brentleigh and Adalyn and Beau Ballard of Stamford; great-grandson, Parker; Alexandra Natale Jackson (Clarence) of Marlton, New Jersey, and precious favorite Facetime buddy and baby girl, great-granddaughter, Natalia; son, Daniel DeSilva (Kimberlie) of Lake Luzerne; sons, Nathan, of Clifton Park and Travis (Monique) of Lutz, Florida; son, Mitch DeSilva (Nancy Gladstone) of Colonie; son, Paul DeSilva (Kathy) of Massapequa Park, and children, Thomas and Claire; and daughter, Kelly DeSilva (Paul Wickham) of Greenville. Uncle Ronnie is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Ron is also survived by his partner of nearly 30 years, Margaret Moshier of Andes. They spent many years enjoying the races at Fonda Speedway watching Beau drive, attending air shows and the Blue Angels, traveling throughout the Northeast, weekends at the Great Sacandaga and a family Alaskan wedding cruise to celebrate the marriage of Kelly.

Ron worked at D&D Auto Parts of Delhi, and then in sales for Del Met in Walton many years until he purchased the Montgomery Ward catalogue store in Margaretville which he and Betty ran for many years, eventually purchasing the Shell gas station and running the two businesses, and employing their children in the family businesses which were sold in 1984. At that time, Ron retired to becoming Poppy and working as a part-time auto salesperson for Hinkley's and Pindar's in Grand Gorge, and then B&D Motors on Main Street.

His favorite activity was traveling to Sacandaga on the weekends to Mitch's camp and spending time with his children and grandchildren who all adored him. Rain or shine, from May until October camping, cooking, boating, swimming, golfing tinkering on the boat, the Jet Ski, the golf cart, the gas stove, the grill, and enjoying the company of his family was by far his favorite thing to do! He'd be the first to arrive and stock the refrigerator, plan the meals, and mow the lawn.

As a father, he attended every sporting, choral and performance event for all of his five children and was an avid supporter! He often chaperoned field trips, Diane's senior class trip to Boston and taught religious education for the Margaretville Presbyterian Church under Rev. Bill Harter. He was a member of the church for several years and a proud, loud singer of hymns. If you knew any DeSilva children, you knew their dad, Ron. Actually if you lived in Margaretville, you probably knew Ron. He was a good friend to all, driving the elderly to medical appointments or grocery shopping until he moved to Mountainside.

He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Marilyn; and brothers, Donald, Robert and Kenneth.

Calling hours will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 12, at Hynes Funeral Home, 48 Walnut St., Margaretville.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m., Saturday Nov. 13, at Margaretville Presbyterian Church 169 Orchard St.

The DeSilva family kindly requests that everyone who is not vaccinated wear a mask to these services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project at www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org or Helios Care for veterans, (formerly Hospice of Oneonta) at www.helioscare.org/veterans, or Margaretville Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hynes Funeral Home, Margaretville.