Arthur Licinio de Albuquerque Ferreira da Silva (Arthur Dasilva) passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026. He was born on July 23, 1947, in Lisbon, Portugal.
Arthur is survived by his beloved wife, Ann; his daughters, Kristina and Sara; his brother, Mario; two grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; a nephew; and many cousins and friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him. At the age of 17, Arthur left home to attend the Portuguese Naval Academy, where he excelled academically and graduated first in his class. During his time there, he inspired enough enthusiasm among his fellow cadets to convince the Navy to allow their class voyage to sail to America rather than one of its traditional destinations. It was an early reflection of the determination, leadership, and adventurous spirit that would define his life.
Arthur later earned a full scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), an achievement of which he was immensely proud. In 1974, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ocean Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. It was during his time at MIT that he formally adopted the name Arthur Dasilva, after a variation of his surname appeared in a local phone directory and ultimately stuck.
As part of his education, Arthur spent three months working at the U.S. Naval Shipyard in San Diego. During that time, he, his first wife, and their infant daughter embarked on a memorable cross-country journey from Boston to California. Travel became one of Arthur’s lifelong passions and remained a source of joy throughout his life.
After graduating from MIT, Arthur returned to Portugal to fulfill his service commitment to the Portuguese Navy, where he continued his distinguished career. In 1985, he immigrated permanently to the United States. He worked for The J.J. Henry Company, a respected naval architecture and marine engineering firm, before joining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His career gave him opportunities to travel extensively throughout the United States and parts of Europe, experiences he greatly cherished.
Following his retirement in 2012, Arthur devoted himself to the many interests that brought him happiness. He was an avid traveler, a talented cook, and an enthusiastic gardener who took great pride in enhancing his home and surroundings. He had a deep appreciation for history and historical structures, a fascination with both miniature and full-size trains, and a remarkable ability to tackle projects of every size. Above all, Arthur was endlessly curious and never stopped learning, constantly researching new subjects and expanding his knowledge.
Arthur approached life with energy, intellect, and enthusiasm. He embraced new experiences, treasured time with family and friends, and found joy in both grand adventures and simple everyday pursuits. He will be remembered for his accomplishments, his curiosity, his generosity, and the lasting impact he had on all who knew and loved him.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28th at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home (3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19808). Friends may call beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be private. The service will be livestreamed here: https://my.gather.app/remember/arthur-dasilva
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society). Memorial contributions may be sent to: Blood Cancer United Northeast (Eastern PA - Delaware) P.O. Box 22470 New York, NY 10087-2470 Or donated online at: https://givenow.bloodcancerunited.org/campaign/717321/donate
