Jeffrey Dennis Sylvester
December 10, 1975-March 9, 2015
It is with great sadness that the family and friends of Jeff Sylvester announce his death after a lengthy battle with colon cancer. Jeff was born to Gary Sylvester and Cathy Gilbertson (nee Low) in Edmonton, Alberta on December 10th, 1975. Jeff was predeceased by his great-grandparents George & Ethel Sylvester; grandparents Albert & Winnie Sylvester and Charles & Lyla Low, his uncle Lawrence Low, his aunt Lorraine Oliver (nee Sylvester), and his cousin Angela Oliver. Left to cherish Jeff’s memory are his wife, Eryn Enns; his mother, Cathy Gilbertson (Lorne), his father, Gary Sylvester (Linda), his sister, Roxanne (David), and nephews, Colton and Branden Hughes, his uncle and aunt, Richard and Carol Low, his cousins, Jonathon Low and Chelsey Low, Ron (Joan) Burnett, Dennis (Charlotte) Sutherland, his in-laws, Don and Elviera Enns, his sisters-in-law, Lindsay, Karmen and Heather Enns, and his pet cats, Clyde & Margie, in addition to numerous other relatives and close friends. After several years living in Edmonton and Herbert, Jeff attended public school in Swift Current between 1984 and 1993. During that time he worked as a Sun paper carrier for six years and as a stock boy cashier at the Civic Shopping Centre among other retail jobs. After 1993, Jeff worked industrial labour until 1998 before deciding to attend the University of Saskatchewan. In 2003, Jeff graduated as a teacher and took a job teaching ESL in Taiwan (China) and another teaching high school in England between 2005 and 2007. Later in 2007, Jeff returned to Saskatchewan to complete a Masters in Educational Administration with a thesis entitled An Analysis of Market Reform Trends in Saskatchewan Public Education, later becoming employed as a Research & Policy Analyst between 2008 and 2012. Post-diagnosis, Jeff engaged in a breadth of interdisciplinary research to inform a doctoral dissertation, the PhD for which began in 2014. It was Jeff’s dream to become an Economic, Foreign Affairs or Public Service Advisor for an international organization, or an academic administrator for a post-secondary institution. Jeff loved his family. In his youth, they spent a great deal of time camping and going on trips across North America. He also enjoyed the cabin life at Lac Pelletier, fishing and assisting his Dad with various projects. With respect to his mother and sister, Jeff considered them the rock upon which he lived. Their support for him was critical and his love for them unending. As a kid, Jeff loved history, fishing and water-skiing. He considered himself lucky to have made quality friends, many of whom remained life-long including, Patrick Simmons (Snell), Jon Orsak, Shawn Yates, Christopher Notenboom, Darren Henderson, Derek Yee and Eric Hart, among others. In his youth, Jeff and his friends would spend time trading toys, playing ninjas, skateboarding, watching horror and comedies, listening to music and a variety of other pursuits as they grew older. Jeff also enjoyed spending time his neighbors Cameron and Trent Shumay whose parents Bill and Zoria made every effort to make our weekends adventurous whether at the lake or with a Saturday morning of crepes and cartoons. Also of note are two of Jeff’s former employers: Gordon Lee (Civic Shopping Centre) and George Edwards (Swift Current Steel), whom he considered invaluable mentors as well as friends. As an adult, Jeff loved academics and exercise. He enjoyed studying a broad range of subjects and discussing what he and others were experiencing or learning during long walks up Baguashan Mountain (Taiwan), around the Thames in London (England), and the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon. After his undergrad, Jeff fulfilled his life-long dream of traveling to Asia, Europe and across North America, and while traveling, made a concerted effort to take in each country’s splendours. He tried to meet, understand and appreciate each country’s people, history, and natural beauty while striking up numerous friendships along the way. While living in England, Jeff also embarked on a comprehensive genealogy project that put him in touch with several relatives abroad and back in Canada. Jeff became especially close with Ray & Lesley Sylvester in Lincolnshire, England and the Betty Stott (nee Low) family in Aberdeenshire, Scotland as well as Travis Low, Ryan (Karen) Cross, Wade (Cat) Sutherland and Sherri (Terry) Lovestone once back in Canada. However, by far, the most important relationship Jeff had was with his wife Eryn. Like his family, Jeff’s love for Eryn escapes description. He was happy to simply wake up and have Eryn be part of his life day every day. They were soul mates, best friends and worked incredibly well as a team. Jeff cherished his love for Eryn deeply and often said that he considered himself privileged to have met such “a wonderful gal from such a wonderful family”. Near the end of his life, Jeff continued to enjoy what he always loved: The oceans, sunsets, sunrises and gazing in wonderment at the night sky. He valued hard work and simple living but above all loved his wife, family and friends. His greatest hope was that they, and anyone reading this, will seek to maximize their time in a manner that suits each best. Service was held Saturday, March 14th at 2:00 at First United Church in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local SPCA, or better yet, adopt a pet in need! Arrangements in care of David Polzen - MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES, Saskatoon (306-978-5200) www.mourningglory.ca and WARREN'S FUNERAL HOME, Swift Current. For further information call 306-773-8831 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com to express your sympathy in our book of condolences.