by BISMumbai Correspondent

The Salesian Province of St. Francis Xavier Bombay [INB] mourns with great sadness the loss of Father Byron D'Silva, aged 77 on 27 May 2020 at 14:15hrs, at the Holy Spirit Hospital Andheri-Mumbai. He was a Salesian of Don Bosco for 56 years. The funeral service will be a private ceremony, due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions protocol.

Born at Dramapur-Goa on 15 February 1943, Father D'Silva did his novitiate an made his 1st Religious Profession at Yercaud on 24 May 1964. He was ordained priest on 16 December 1973 at Panjim.

After his priestly ordination, Father D'Silva was Asst Parish Priest and Youth Centre Director [1973–1976] at Valpoi, Goa. He served as Asst. Parish Priest and Administrator [1976-1979], at Our Lady of Dolours, Wadala West, Mumbai. He served at Don Bosco Chhotaudepur [1979-1988] as Parish Priest and Rector-Parish Priest respectively. In 2012 – 2014, he was Vice Rector and Parish Priest and yet again from 2014 – 2016 In-Charge of the Fatehpura Hostel at Don Bosco Chhotaudepur. In 1988-89 he was Asst. Parish Priest at St Dominic Savio Wadala East, Mumbai. He then served as Parish priest in 1989-1991; from 1991-1994 as Rector and Parish Priest and from 2009 – 2012 as Asst. Parish Priest at Don Bosco Makarpura-Vadodara. He was twice Rector and Parish Priest at Don Bosco Narukot [1994 – 2000 & 2003 – 2009]. He was Incharge at Tanakhla from 2000-2003, while based at Don Bosco Kawant. Father D'Silva was convalescing at St. Dominic Savio Boys’ Home, Andheri-Mumbai from 2016 – 2020.

Father D'Silva was admitted to and placed in the ICU at Holy Spirit Hospital Andheri-Mumbai on 15 May for medical observation and monitoring. His parameters had shown some improvement after the 48-hour initial observation-monitoring and on 25 May he was in better condition after dialysis, with his vital parameters stable. He was under observation at the Hospital, at the time of his passing.

MumbaiSalesians commend Father Byron D'Silva to the Lord, praying that he enjoys eternal rest, and also pray for the members of his bereaved family, asking the Lord to be their consolation.