Mr. Bruno Sylvester, age 93 years, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Hospice on Wednesday, January 7 2015.
Bruno was born in Canada, the fifth of eight children, to Italian immigrant parents. He grew up in the East End of Fort William and attended Ogden School and Selkirk Vocational School.
At age 18, Bruno went to work: cutting trails and building towers for fire spotters in the Forestry Branch, building, then working in an explosives plant in Nobel outside of Parry Sound, and also as a kitchen worker on a job site. He then joined his brother Beps in Sudbury where he worked in a coal plant.
Bruno joined the armed forces in February of 1943 and served until 1946. He learned how to repair armaments, guns and turrets and was stationed in Dartmouth and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. After the war, Bruno returned to Fort William and found work with Great Lakes Paper. He went to plumbing school and began a 37 year career at the mill, the final 12 years as pipefitter foreman, where he earned the admiration and respect of all who worked with him.
Bruno met his beloved wife, Lena, and they married in 1948. They lived on Donald St., and then moved to Murray Avenue. Life was busy with four children, work, and much to do around the house but Bruno always found time to help relatives, neighbours and friends, whether it was a repair job, a ride or just a friendly chat. He was a member of St. Elizabeth's Parish, serving on the Parish Council for many years and assisting with the maintenance of the church. Bruno also served as a valued member of the care group for the Syvitski family.
Bruno enjoyed socializing and had many good friends over the years: the “gang” from the East End, co-workers from the mill, swimming pals from the Complex, and his many neighbours. All were blessed to have had such a genuine, caring and loving person in their lives.
Bruno took great joy in his 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was always supportive of any endeavor and the greatest fan at any sporting event. He enjoyed his many trips to California with Lena to visit Joan and her family, and always loved large family gatherings with Rick, Robert, Jane and their families.
Bruno's legacy is the example he set for all who knew him – his great strength of character, solid work ethic, and boundless generosity. We will surely miss our Dad, Papa and bis-Papa.
Bruno was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Lena, parents Giovanna and Beniamino Silvestri, his brothers Giuseppe (Beps) and John, his sisters Palmira(Mella), Mary and Ada and his grandson Michael.
He is survived by sons Richard, Robert(Kathy), daughters Joan Ranta(Ray), Jane Zaroski(Tim), sister Esther Holowitz(Fred), brother Leonard Sylvester(Gina), grandchildren Nathan Sylvester and partner Aoife, great-grandchildren Jourdon, Aislynn, and Ayden, Jonathan Sylvester, Jennifer Carroll and husband P.J., great grandson Joshua, Andrew Ranta and fiancé Kristie, Neil Ranta and wife Dani, great-grandchildren Carley and Carter, Gordon Zaroski and wife Lesley, great grandchildren Andrew, Ian and Alexis, Terry Zaroski and fiancé Christine, great granddaughter Emma, as well as many other relatives, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, when family and friends will gather for Funeral Mass at 11:00am, at St. Elizabeth's Church celebrated by Rev. Terry Sawchuk. A private family interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Prayers will be offered January 12, 2015 at 7:00pm in the Blake Funeral Chapel. If friends desire, memorials to St. Joseph’s Foundation would be appreciated.
Bruno Sylvester will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 12, 2016.
Bruno Sylvester
Funeral Mass:
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
St. Elizabeth's Church
11:00 a.m.
Vigil Prayers:
Monday, January 12, 2015
Blake Funeral Chapel
7:00 p.m.
Memorial Donations:
St. Joseph's Foundation
