WOODBURY — David Alan Silks, 63, of Woodbury, died unexpectedly on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at Waterbury Hospital. He was the beloved husband and best friend of Mary (Husted) Silks.
Born in Waterbury on June 7, 1947, the son of Aldona (Labasauckas) Silks and the late Edward J. Silks. David grew up in Watertown in the Linkfield Road home his father built adjacent to his grandparents’ farm. As a child he loved the outdoors, animals and exploring the farm and nearby Smith’s Pond.
David was a graduate of Watertown High School and Central Connecticut State College with a degree in biology. After marrying, he and his wife moved to Woodbury. His working life was spent in quality control, working for several area companies, Becton Dickinson in Canaan, Keeler and Long in Watertown, Waterbury Rolling Mills and Ideal Products.
Despite a lifelong battle with diabetes, David lived well, endured hardships courageously, and all who knew him recognized his strong virtues of perseverance, patience, kindness and love of family.
David was a man of many interests. From childhood, he was interested in beekeeping and took great pride in producing a truly delicious honey. He will be remembered for his remarkable ability to repair almost anything. He enjoyed working on cars and traveled to many area car shows with his 1928 Model A truck and his grandfather’s 1952 Chevy pickup, which he had restored. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing at his farm in central New York, building and repairing things, scuba diving, and he even tried skydiving (although only once).
There were many times he could have let his disabilities keep him from doing things, but he always kept a positive outlook and did his best. He will be sadly missed and his passing will leave a great void in the lives of his family and friends.
Besides his wife of 30 years, David is survived by his mother, Aldona Silks of East Sandwich, Mass.; his brothers, Robert Silks and his wife, Lisa, of Bel Air, Md., and John Silks and his wife, Susan, of East Sandwich, Mass.; his aunt, Elizabeth Humeston of Oakville; cousins, Dr. Charles Labas of Watertown, Renee Stokel of New Hampshire and Wendy McCarthy of Morris; nephews, Bryan Lundeen of Lakeville, Mathew Silks of Bel Air, Md.; and his niece, Megan Silks of Bel Air, Md. He was predeceased by his father, Edward Silks, and his brother, Jeffrey Silks.
A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, at Hickcox Funeral Home, 195 Main St., Watertown. Friends may call at the funeral home Saturday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service. Burial in Mount St. James Cemetery in Watertown will be in the spring.
Memorial contributions in David’s name may be made to the Guinea, Silks, Orsillo Scholarship Fund; c/o Watertown Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 117, Watertown 06795.
From The Waterbury Republican American
