Richard T. Sylvain Obituary
Richard T. "Dick" Sylvain, 76, of Gloucester, husband of Carol (Douglass) Sylvain, passed away in his home after a brief illness surrounded by his loving family. Dick was born in Rochester, NH on March 7, 1947, and he was the son of the late Roger and Dorothy (Sessler) Sylvain.
Dick moved to Gloucester shortly before joining the Navy in 1967 where he was deployed to the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam on the USS Intrepid. Upon discharge from the Navy, he married the love of his life, Carol. He worked at the Building Center, Walsh Oil Company, and lastly the Gloucester Housing Authority as a Maintenance Supervisor. Carol and Dick raised three children together and Dick could always be found cheering his children on the sidelines of many hockey, baseball, football games, and dance recitals. His favorite days were spent on the water and on camping trips with his children and grandchildren.
After retirement, Carol and Dick enjoyed many years snowbirding in Sarasota, FL visiting with their lifelong friends from Gloucester. They also enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and many local casinos with close friends. When back in Gloucester, Dick could often be found in his garage building birdhouses and playing "Mr. Fix-It" around the house. A recent memorable trip was visiting the USS Intrepid museum with his son and family.
He is survived by his loving wife Carol, whom he was married to for 53 years; his children, Mark and his wife Rosa of Gloucester, Sandra and her fiancé Stephen Morse of Gloucester, and Stacy and her husband Eliot Jackson of Beverly; his siblings Debbie Eastman of Philadelphia, brother Jody Sylvain of Gloucester, Kevin and Edie Douglass, Steven and Virginia Douglass, Barry and Nancy Sousa, and Jim and Julie Douglass all of Gloucester. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, three step grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two step grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Nancy Arruda of Haverhill, and his son Scott Sylvain. Also, Capt. Fred Douglass and Ruth (Muniz) Douglass.
Visiting hours in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St. Gloucester, will be held on Sunday, March 26 from 1-4 p.m. with military honors being rendered at 3:45 p.m. Family and friends are cordially invited. A celebration of life and scattering of ashes will take place this summer. In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dick's memory to the American Diabetes Association and Gloucester Little League.
