René A. Sylvester, 75, of Ithaca, NY, passed away unexpectedly in 2021.
René was born in a Red Cross camp in Denmark in 1945. His family later moved to France and then traversed the Atlantic Ocean in November on a Red Cross boat to Quebec City. When René was a teenager his family moved to Brooklyn and finally Geneseo, NY.
René was preceded in death by his father, Paul, mother, Alfreda and granddaughter, Mira Brouwer.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Melissa Sylvester; his children Yann Luc Sylvester, Anna Sylvester of Ithaca, NY, Paul Sylvester (Jennifer) of Fairfax, VA and Christine Brouwer of Ithaca, NY; his grandchildren, Parker and Emmett Sylvester, Jackson and Korrine Brouwer; his siblings Dori Sawyer and Nicole Sylvester (Gary Hoffman) of Geneseo, NY, Denis Sylvester (Linda) of Bloomfield, NY. As well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins in Montreal, France and Austria.
René was proud of his service in the United States Air Force and as a Vietnam Veteran. He grieved for those that were taken too soon and was grateful for the connections he had and made with fellow Veterans.
Professionally, René worked as a Psychologist in Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers and then as a School Psychologist at TST BOCES and the Ithaca City School District.
René had a love for books, airplanes, cars, motorcycles, craft beers and most importantly, people. René connected with people everywhere he went and made many cherished friendships through groups of interest as well as just walking down the street. He had an insatiable love of life and sense of humor that filled a room. He will be so missed by all who loved him. Carpe Diem.
There will be calling hours Thursday, May 20, 2021, from 4 - 6pm at Bangs Funeral Home, 209 West Green St., Ithaca, NY and memorial service Friday, May 21, 2021 at 1pm at Perkins Funeral Home Chapel, 55 Main St, Dryden, NY. Social Distancing and Mask guidelines will be followed. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation on behalf of Yann Sylvester who will be attending college in the Fall. Contributions can be made via: ugift529.com with code E93-91P as an electronic payment or mail in check. Online condolences at Bangsfuneralhome.com
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SERVICES Visitation
Thursday, May 20, 2021 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Bangs Funeral Home, Inc. 209 W Green St. Ithaca, New York 14850
Memorial ServiceFriday, May 21, 2021 1:00 PM
Perkins Funeral Home 55 W. Main Street Dryden, NY 13053
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of René Sylvester, please visit our flower store.