Robert J. Sylvester, Sr.

Robert J. Sylvester Sr., 87, a resident of Glenmaura Senior Living, Moosic, Pa. and formerly of Clarks Summit, Pa., died peacefully Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, with his loving children by his side. Bob was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 52 years, the former Joan J. Luciani, who passed away on April 12, 2011. Bob was born May 26, 1936, in Jessup, Pa. He was the son of the late Frank and Ellen (Booth) Sylvester.
      Bob was a graduate of Jessup High School in Pennsylvania, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Scranton. He earned his Master of Arts degree from Fairfield University in Connecticut. Bob continued studies at Fairfield University having received his Certification of Advanced Studies in Administration. He honorably served in the United States Army as a captain, completing U.S. Infantry School at Ft. Benning, Ga. During his time in the military at Fort Dix, N.J., the Army saw a special talent in Bob. He was assigned to teach and speak to large groups of Army service members returning home from Europe. This is where Bob discovered his great passion for teaching and his extraordinary career of service to others.
      Bob served as vice president for institutional advancement for the University of Scranton where he led three campaigns in which the university raised over 88 million dollars. Bob received numerous awards during his 18-year career at the University of Scranton. In 1997, Bob received the prestigious J. Barry McGannon, S.J. Award for outstanding professional achievement given by the Jesuit Advancement Administrators. This is the highest award given by the Jesuits (Society of Jesus). A presidential scholarship was established in both Bob and his wife Joan’s honor by the board of trustees and the president of the University of Scranton in 2001. In a tribute to Bob, Rev. Father M. McShane, S.J., the then president of the University wrote, “Bob’s record of service has enriched the university beyond measure. Perhaps most important of all, he has been the university’s most effective, articulate and enthusiastic ambassador of good will among its alumni, friends and benefactors. Since Bob spoke from the heart, his message resonated in the hearts of our donors, swayed by his eloquence and the urgency of his message; they willingly became colleagues in the important ministry of the university.”
      Prior to joining the University of Scranton, Bob held several positions during his 24-year career at Fairfield College Preparatory School in Conn. The positions included: director of development and alumni relations, associate principal for admissions and public relations, senior housemaster, chairman of the department of social studies, an instructor of American history and constitutional history. In1959, at the young age of 23, Bob became the junior varsity basketball coach and two years later became the head varsity basketball coach. During his tenure as basketball coach (1959-1977) Fairfield Prep qualified for the state tournament 16 of 18 years. The team won five conference championships along with two State Runner-Ups and in 1969 won the State Championship. Coach Sylvester once wrote, “I was so young. Looking back on the entire career and using the great teams I coached as a focal point, I can say that I am one of the luckiest guys in the world. I had the privilege of teaching and coaching some of the best and brightest students and athletes.”
      Bob received numerous awards during his career at Fairfield Prep. He was inducted into the Fairfield Prep Hall of Fame in 1983 and in 1992 was the recipient of the Fairfield University 50-year anniversary Jubilee Medal. During that same year, Bob was honored by being asked to give the commencement speech to the Fairfield Prep graduating class of 1992. Bob was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 and was inducted into the Fairfield Prep Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. During his life and career, Bob embodied the Jesuit (Society of Jesus) vision and motto “Men and Women for Others.”
      After retirement, Bob and Joan kept themselves very active. One of their shared lifetime goals was to do everything possible to see their children and grandchildren receive a formal education. In addition to being devoted to their children and grandchildren, they set aside ample time for world travel and they did plenty of it. They especially enjoyed traveling to Italy where they would meet our families’ distant relatives. After Joan’s passing, Bob enjoyed planning family vacations with his children, grandchildren and close friends. He brought the family back to Italy twice and was very proud to show them where he and Joan traveled and where their family’s ancestors lived.
      In 2001, he established RJS Associates, a fundraising and strategic planning consulting firm and served as president. He continued his passion for teaching and enjoyed substitute teaching for the Abington Heights School District. He also served as senior development officer at Geisinger Commonwealth Medical College from 2012 to 2014. He was an avid golfer and a member at Glen Oak Country Club, where he served on the planning committee. He was also a member of the Jupiter Dunes Golf Club in Florida where he would enjoy his winters.
      Bob was a faithful member of Our Lady of the Snows Parish where he served on the Finance Committee. He served on numerous boards including: Friendship House, Diocese of Scranton Board of Education chair finance committee, Easter Seal Society board member, Scranton Preparatory Board of Trustees, Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Scranton Boys and Girls Club, Serving Seniors, (president) Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Advisory Committee. While in Connecticut: Bob served on the Conn. Association of Independent School Councils, Association of Secondary Schools Advisory Committee, Conn. Coaches Association (past president), and the Milford, Conn. Babe Ruth Youth League (past president).
      The family expresses gratitude to the dedicated caregivers at Glenmaura Senior Living, Linwood Rehabilitation Center, Geisinger CMC and Allied Hospice Center.
      Surviving are two daughters, Beth Jennings (Craig), Milford, Conn.; Leah Timlin (Tom), Clarks Summit; and a son, Robert J. Sylvester Jr. (Nancy), Milford, Conn.; three granddaughters, Cara Gobeil (Kyle), Sarah Jennings (fiancé, Nick), Christina Sylvester; as well as three grandsons, Thomas Timlin IV, Daniel Timlin, Robert J. Sylvester III; three great-granddaughters, Kennedy, Camryn and Kolby Gobeil. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews; and his longtime friend and companion, Vicki Lavella. He was preceded in death by two brothers and their spouses, John Sylvester and his wife, Rosemary; and Frank Sylvester and his wife, Mildred.
      The funeral will be Saturday with Mass at 11 a.m., to be celebrated by Monsignor Joseph G.Quinn, pastor, at Our Lady of the Snows, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Interment, St. John’s Cemetery, Jessup. The family will receive relatives and friends Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit, 18411.
      There will be a memorial Mass at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn. at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert and Joan Sylvester Scholarship Fund at the University of Scranton Development Office, 800 Linden St., Scranton, PA 18510; or Allied Services Hospice, 511 Morgan Highway, Scranton, PA 18508.
      For directions, or to leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website.
Robert’s care has been entrusted to Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit, PA 18411.