Sylva J. 'Syl' Turcotte

Sylva J. 'Syl' Turcotte, of Waltham, died at home on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. He was 97 years old. Sylva 'Pepe' passed with peace and surrounded by the love of his family after a long beautiful accomplished life. Syl was born December 8, 1924 in Danielson, Connecticut the son of Conrad and Marie Ange (Pouliot) Turcotte. Raised and educated in Connecticut he honorably served in the United States Army during World War II. During his service in WW2 he was on the frontlines in Italy and held a position as Marksman. He was captured in battle and became a prisoner of war for 18 months in Germany until he successfully escaped, with an amazing story attached. He was an American hero. Upon return to the States he was married to his first wife, Doris (Bienvenue) Turcotte until her early death at the age of 34 in 1962. Syl came to Waltham after WW II to educate himself as a jeweler at the Waltham Watch Factory. With that training he moved on to co-own and operate a machine shop, Elcom Inc.. It was established in Waltham and later moved its operations to Boston and Watertown. He married Antoinette Sanuth on August 14, 1965 in her home parish of St. John Chrysostom in West Roxbury. A devout Catholic, Syl was a longtime member of Our Lady's Parish and the Joseph Hill #156 American Legion. He and Antoinette enjoyed over ten years dancing in Marge Gallagher's Senior Dance Group. He loved keeping busy with projects in and around the home. For many years Syl grew and shared bountiful harvests from his vegetable garden and took on many home improvement jobs such as building a porch and drive thru-garage and surrounding it with brick pavers for the walkways and driveway. He also enjoyed working in the yard mowing his lawn, cutting down old trees, and pulling out stumps. He was a person who would snowplow all the drives and walkways of his widowed neighbors on Leitha Drive during our snowy winters. In addition to his wife Antoinette of 56 years, he leaves his children, Robin J. Badiali (late Bill) of Raynham, Thomas J. Turcotte of Overland Park, Missouri, David J. Turcotte (Christina) of Milford, Stephen J. Turcotte of Northborough and Patricia A. Navarro (Daniel) of Rosenberg, Texas; his daughter-in-law, Catherine Turcotte of North Grafton; his grandchildren, Matthew Badiali (Julia), Angelica Turcotte, Ariel Szucs (Ben), Joseph, Paige, Sophia and Grace Turcotte, Aili Schiavoni also Stephanie, Joshua and Jacob Navarro; great-grandchildren, Aidan, Aria Rose &Will; his siblings, Norman Turcotte of Norwich, Connecticut, Therese Cusson (late Leonard), Annette Ouellette (late Richard), Cecile Ravenelle (late Donald) all of Danielson, Connecticut and the late Aurore Roy (late George), Mignonne Tourtelotte (late Fred), Rita LeBeau (late Joe); also survived by many nieces & nephews. All his grand and great-grandchildren adored their Pepe, as well as all who came to know him. Family and friends will honor and remember Syl's life by gathering for calling hours in the Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, February 15th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Mount Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury. Memorials in his name may be made to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452.