WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — John H. Sylvester of Williamstown, Mass., passed away Thursday, January 25, 2018, at Williamstown Commons, Williamstown, Mass.



John was the second son born to Theodore R. (Coach) Sylvester and Etta P. (Baker) Sylvester on June 25, 1929, at the family home in Williamstown. He attended local schools and entered the U.S. Navy in June of 1946 and was honorably discharged in April of 1948, serving mostly on the U.S. Destroyer USS Gearing, DD-710. John worked in the dairy farming business most of his life and also had a memorable 23 year career as a police officer with the Williamstown Police Department from 1957-1980 for which he is well remembered. He was also the Town Constable for the Town of Williamstown for many years.



John loved the outdoors, hunting, shooting, reloading, firearms and cartridge collecting and spending time with family, especially his granddaughters as they grew up into their own families. One of his favorite things each fall for most of the last 35 years was working as a volunteer with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife every fall for the state's special Paraplegic Deer Hunt sponsored locally in Williamstown. It gave him a very special satisfaction and gratification to work with these limited mobility hunters and they always put a big smile on his face, especially when he'd see the big grin of a successful hunter.



John leaves the love of his life and wife of 67 years, Shirley C. Sylvester; brother George Sylvester and wife Suki of Williamstown; sister Inez Wise of Jackson, Mississippi; his son Jonathan Sylvester and wife Kinzer of Lovell, Maine; his daughter Stacy Sylvester and husband James George of Williamstown; granddaughter Jaime (Sylvester) Keane and husband Patrick of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; granddaughter Molly (Sylvester) Hill and husband Barry of North Fryeburg, Maine; great-grandsons Henry Hill, Hagen Hill and Colin Keane; great-granddaughter Mackenna Keane; and many nieces and nephews.



He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Theodore Jr., Robert Lee and Paul.



John was a 63-plus year member of the Williams Masonic Lodge AF&AM in Williamstown, Mass., a member of American Legion Post 152 in Williamstown, MA for 50+ years, and life member of the National Rifle Association for 60-plus years.



Funeral notice: No calling hours are currently scheduled and a graveside memorial service will be held at a later date yet to be determined, sometime in early/mid May of this year, with additional notification of said service shall be posted as the actual date approaches.



The family requests in lieu of flowers, a donation to HospiceCare in the Berkshires, Pittsfield Mass., or the Second Congregational Church, South Williamstown, Mass., be made through the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247, which is entrusted with arrangements.