James Lawrence Silva

CONCORD, NH - James “Jim” Silva, age 101, of Lexington and Peabody, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026, surrounded by family at The Birches of Concord, New Hampshire.

Born June 21, 1924 and raised on Reed Street in Lexington, Jim was the son of Joseph and Evangeline Silva, immigrants from the islands of Terceira and São Miguel in the Azores. They instilled in him the values of hard work and self-reliance. His father worked as an electrician in Boston while also farming in Lexington, bringing produce by horse-drawn cart to Quincy Market, and building homes. His mother cared for the household and preserved food from the farm.

Alongside his siblings Joseph, Edward, and Irene (Reni), Jim spent his childhood exploring Lexington on foot—skating at the old Reservoir, swimming at the town pool, caddying at the Lexington Golf Course, attending St. Brigid’s Church, and playing pickup sports while helping care for the farm. He graduated from Muzzey High School in 1942, where he served as class treasurer and was active in soccer and hockey.

Jim volunteered for service in World War II after studying for one year at Northeastern. He was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces, flying P-51 Mustangs with the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Europe. Shot down over the St. Nazaire sector of France in September of 1944, he became a POW at Camp Franco in St. Nazaire. At age 20 he was the highest-ranking U.S. officer among the prisoners and helped established routines and bolster morale.

Liberated later that year through a prisoner exchange engineered by Gerow Hodges of the Red Cross, he spoke with pride about how his fellow POWs “looked smart” and marched in formation across the exchange line. He chose to remain in Europe supporting his unit until his discharge in May 1946. He was recalled to the Air Force in 1950 during the Korean War, flying 33-night missions in a B-26 and surviving a crash.

After the wars, Jim completed his engineering degree and married Dorothy “Dot” Peppard in 1952. They settled in Lexington and raised three daughters, sharing 46 years in their North Street home. Jim worked most of his career at GTE (Sylvania), retiring in 1982. A dedicated community member, Jim was deeply involved in Hancock Church, town meetings, and many social and athletic pursuits, including tennis, golf, hockey, bowling, and later table tennis.

In retirement, he and Dot traveled widely, both independently and through Elderhostel programs, exploring the U.S., Europe, and Japan, rafting in Alaska, experiencing life in a college dorm, and exploring the Chesapeake Bay. They also returned to the site of his captivity in France and reunited with a fellow prisoner of war.

In 2000, Dot and Jim became founding residents of Brooksby Village, where Jim participated in numerous activities and served in several leadership roles, including Chair of the Resident Advisory Committee, member of the Brooksby Village Board, and the first Resident Advisor on the Erickson Board of Directors. He enjoyed watching the construction and participating in the growth of the remaining Brooksby communities.

After Dot’s passing, Jim found joy and companionship with Betty Lehr. Their Sunday tradition of church, wine and lunch along with broad-ranging conversation of politics, family, and life became the highlight of his week.

Jim is survived by his companion, Betty Lehr, his children, Judy (Brad) of Allenstown NH, Janet Schulz (Bailey) of Pepperell MA, and Polly (Chuck) of Bolton CT; grandchildren Jessica (Keith) and Jeffrey (Melissa); great-grandchildren Cheyenne, Austin, and Trenton; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, siblings, and his wife, Dorothy, and a special mother-in-law, Mildred Peppard.

His life was marked by service, integrity, curiosity, humility, and humor—an enduring legacy that will be remembered by all who knew him.

Our thanks to all the staff at the Birches of Concord for their loving care of Dad in his final months.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Jim’s Memorial Service in the Chapel at Brooksby Village, 100 Brooksby Village Drive, Peabody on Saturday, February 7th at 10:00 am. Donations in Jim’s honor may be made to the Brooksby Village Benevolent Care Fund, C/O Philanthropy Dept., 100 Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody, MA 01960 or to Granite VNA, The Slusser Ctr., 30 Pillsbury St., Concord, NH 03301. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.