Mr. Robert W. Sylvester, 87, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025 at the Warner Center for Caring.

He was born in Patterson, GA and was a son of the late Durward and Sussie Chancy Sylvester.

He moved to Fernandina with his family when he was 12 years old. Growing up, Mr. Sylvester did such things as selling peanuts on the docks in Fernandina and during his senior year in high school, he and some of his classmates skipped school and went to Ft. Clinch where a movie was being filmed. He and those classmates were able to appear as “extras” in the movie.

After high school he joined the U. S. Navy where he served for 21 years before retiring. After returning home, he had an 18-year career with the Florida Department of Agriculture as an Enforcement Officer at the I-95 Inspection Station.

Mr. Sylvester enjoyed fishing. For some time, his home was on Lofton Creek. To go fishing, all he had to do was walk outside, sit on his dock and fish. He also coached youth baseball at the Yulee Ball Park, coaching the “Braves” for several years. He enjoyed the challenge of working crossword puzzles and was very accomplished at whittling. Over the years he whittled many intricate pieces including creating a figure inside a cavity he carved out of a piece of firewood.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Sylvester was predeceased by his wife, Virginia, in 2017, a son, Steven in 2020 and a grandson, Brandon in 2016.

He leaves behind his children, Teresa Sylvester of Yulee, Sharon Sylvester Wright and Bobby Sylvester, both of Fernandina Beach and a son, Daniel Sylvester of Yulee; a brother, Henry Sylvester and a sister, Naomi Sylvester Durbin, both of Waycross, GA as well as seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren and a large extended family and a large extended family.

Mr. Sylvester’s family is planning a simple gathering of family members to remember and celebrate his life.