Peter D. Sylvia

Augusta/Randolph, MA- Peter D.(Oliver) Sylvia, born July 20, 1969, in Waterville, Maine, died unexpectedly on August 16, 2024, at the family lake house in Augusta, Maine. He was 55 years old.
Peter was the beloved husband, "Blub," of Rev. Timoth Sylvia, with whom he shared over two decades of life and love and nine years of marriage. Together, they created a family with their three children-Jacob, Adrian, and William-a family that was one of Peter's greatest joys and proudest accomplishments.
Peter was the son of Linda and Sherwin McPhail and the late Bruce Oliver. He is survived by his siblings, Steven Oliver (Darlene), Karen McPhail, Michelle McPhail (Rhonda), and Michael McPhail, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Despite his self-proclaimed introversion, Peter was a magnet for friendship. His sense of humor, caring nature, and fierce advocacy for his children and the children of others navigating the foster and adoption systems endeared him to many.
Peter's hobbies included swimming with his boys, working out with his personal trainer, mastering new recipes he would find online and playing Candy Crush. He was an accomplished photographer with an exceptional eye for detail, an excellent cook able to please the palate of even the pickiest of eaters, and a man of many additional talents-from making jewelry, sewing custom tote bags, being incredibly handy around the house to seemingly knowing the answer to every question.
His ability to learn and master new skills was matched only by his impeccable planning, as seen in everything from family trips to their annual, cherished Epiphany Open Houses.
Above all, he was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend who strove to create experiences filled with good memories for those around him. His greatest pride was in his children, for whom he was a fierce advocate in their educational journeys.
Peter will be remembered for his warm smile, his infectious laugh, his tender and profoundly deep love for others and the way he'd plan to stay up and watch TV after dinner, only to fall asleep within minutes.
He was proud of the life he had created with his husband and children, and his presence will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him.
A Celebration of Peter's life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave, Gardiner, ME.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Peter's memory to support Adoption Rhode Island (adoptionri.org), the foster and adoption advocacy organization through which Peter and Timoth came to meet their three boys. In this way, you can assist in continuing the legacy of care and support that defined Peter's life.
Memorials may also be shared in Peter's memory with First Congregational Church, UCC in Randolph, Massachusetts (wearechanginglives.org).