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John Sylvia Obituary
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He leaves behind to cherish his memory his children: John Sylvia, III, Antoinette Cothran (Kevin), Kevin Sylvia (Ilidia), Deborah Akey (Jarrod), and Fiona Sylvia. He was a cherished grandfather to four grandchildren and a proud great-grandfather to four great-grandchildren.
John is predeceased by his siblings: William Staten, Mary L. Allen, Dorothy Jackson, Sarah Riley, Julia Sturdivant, Jean Sylvia and Josephine Chapman. He will be deeply missed by his family and a host of friends who were touched by his kindness and generosity.
John attended West Haven High School and later worked at Stop & Shop Warehouse of North Haven. In his early years, he was Commissioner of the West Haven Biddie Basketball League. John served as a Lieutenant with the New Haven Department of Corrections, worked as a Bondsman in Connecticut for many years and founded Sylvia Bail Bonds. John was a long-time Mason with Widows Son Lodge #1 and a honorary member of James H. Hill Lodge #16 in Washington, DC. He was an avid fan of the NY Giants and loved playing golf.
John's legacy of love, resilience and dedication to his family will be remembered and honored by all who knew him.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Ken "Tex" Lister
July 17, 2024
I will always remember John as a big friendly man that always knew how to handle any situation. I worked with John at Stop & Shop Grocery Warehouse and we played Sunday Morning Football in West Haven. He will surely be missed by many friends and family. Rest In Peace My Friend.
Daniel Kelly
July 17, 2024
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Rick Johnson
July 14, 2024
Worked with Big John at Union Avenue and absolutely loved him and our time together. About 2 months on the job, another LT got on him because he walked away shaking his head at some ridiculous order. He tried to chastise John, who towered over him, and John said, "Who´s head is this? I´ll shake it whenever I get ready...". The LT backed right down. I know you had to be there, but EVERY time I saw John after that, he pointed to his head and said, "Who´s head is this?" The ultimate inside joke that had me laughing for years and the first thing I think of when I hear his name...
Geraldine Boni
July 14, 2024
I have known john since grammer school(thompson sch. West haven)we graduated from there,to west haven high,he was always a nice person,the last time i saw him maybe a year ago,turned into a nice man and truly a gentleman. My deepest sympathy to your family,may you rest in peace and god bless you. Geri and Tony Boni
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Marie Barnes
July 13, 2024
I had the pleasure of working with John at Union Avenue Detention Center. John didn't play about his Union Ave Crew. John my friend you are going to be missed. Thanks for all the advise and all the wisdom you shared with us your crew.
Marie
Joan Lucky
July 13, 2024
My cousin John knew everybody. He was a man of his word. Every time I called him he would say "call so and so tell then I said to call". Whatever I needed got taken care of. I will always be thankful for his help when anyone I knew needed it. I will miss you! Rest easy
Dawn Cooper
July 13, 2024
John was a great person and I´m am glad I had the privilege to know and work with him. My sincere condolences to his family. RIP John
Charles Campbell
July 13, 2024
John treated everyone with respect and dignity. When I 1st started working in Corr. John told me to remember one thing always be firm and consistent and everything will be alright and if I needed to talk he was always there Lt. Silvia I will truly miss him even though we didn't speak often he was always there to listen and give advice
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