Manuel D. DaSilva “Manny” 79

Aug 15, 2019
Manuel D. DaSilva “Manny” 79, formerly of Marion, Massachusetts died on September 30, 2018 after a brief illness while living in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.   
 
Born in Brava, Cape Verde Islands he was the son of the late Manuel DaSilva and Fortunata Lopes.  
 
Manny immigrated to the United States in 1960. Soon after arriving to the United States he attended cosmetology school to learn and become a licensed barber and hairstylist.  After becoming licensed and working as an apprentice in Boston, Manny moved to New Bedford and opened his own business “Manny’s Hairstyles.”  After years of success Manny moved his business to Marion in 1979 where he continued his successful and well known business until his retirement in 2006.  Manny’s customers traveled from all over New England to get their haircuts and styles by him. Over the years living in Marion, in his down time, Manny enjoyed raising animals and growing his own fruits, vegetables and took pride in sharing the fruits of his labor with his family and friends.  Manny was also an expert navigator and enjoyed the open water and fishing so much so he built his own boat. Manny was known to be very handy being his own carpenter, electrician, plumber, and mechanic. Manny could build or fix anything and had an incredible knack for envisioning and designing.  
 
Manny followed his dream of retiring to a climate similar to that of where he was born and moved to Moca, Puerto Rico.  When there Manny continued his love of growing fruits and vegetables while enjoying the warm tropical climate as he dreamed of his entire working life.  
 
His family includes his son Elden DaSilva and fiancé Karen, son Gabriel Barbosa and Daughter Maria Barbosa; 9 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Manny was the brother of John DaSilva, and his wife Ann;  Rosalina T. Cormier, Benilda Xiarhos, Margaret Fritze and her husband Paul, and Maria A. Neves and her husband Stephen;  He is also survived by his uncle Carlos Martins and his wife Thelma.   
 
A private funeral was held in the town of Moca, Puerto Rico and his remains will be buried privately in Rural Cemetery in New Bedford. Local funeral arrangements can be entrusted to Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home, 129 Allen Street, New Bedford. For an online guestbook, please visit www.aubertine-lopes.com.