A Requiem Eucharist in thanksgiving for the life of James Daniel “Dan” Sylvester will be held at All Saints’ Cathedral on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Following the service there will be a reception and light luncheon in the Guild Hall.
James Daniel Sylvester, age 73, of Milwaukee, passed away on May 3, 2024, after a lengthy illness.
Dan is survived by his three brothers: Kenneth (Patricia) Sylvester, Normal, IL; Michael (Debbie) Sylvester, Diana, TX; Chuck Sylvester, Normal, IL; and a sister, Carol (Joe) Spence, Boone, IA. He is also survived by a very special Aunt, Jackie McBurney, many nieces and nephews, and dear friends Collin Johnson and Carol Ketter.
He was preceded in death by his parents Victor and Patricia Sylvester and a sister, Elizabeth (Beth) Sylvester.
Dan was the oldest of six children born on January 11, 1951, to Vic (Spud) Sylvester and Patricia (Marcella) McBurney. He grew up just blocks from his grandparents George and Edith McBurney, various cousins, aunts, uncles, and right next door to grandparents Vic and Lucy Sylvester.
He attended Unit 5 schools in Normal, IL graduating from Normal Community High School in 1969. While a student at NCHS, he was very active in AFS, National Honor Society, Pan Lingua, Mu Alpha Theta, and Quill & Scroll. His love of travel began when he participated in the People to People Student Ambassador trip to Europe his junior year.
Dan continued his education at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. His studies included French, archeology, and elementary education. He graduated with a BA in 1973 and a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1980, both from Illinois State University. He earned a Master of Education degree in 1994 from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Devoted to his Episcopalian faith, Dan embraced the life of a lay brother for three years in the Society of St. John Evangelist in Port Bruce Bridge, Ontario, Canada. Realizing teaching was his calling, his teaching career took him cross country; from Sparta, IL, to Chicago, IL, then LaGrange, IL, down to Champaign, IL, to the west coast and Long Beach, CA, and finally to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he settled in and taught for 19 years in the Milwaukee Public school system.
He loved to travel with Scotland, England, Europe, and especially France being among his favorite places to visit. He enjoyed taking friends and family along on his many adventures. His motto was…Seen it, Done it, Ate it! Most of all, Dan was a very devoted uncle to all his nieces and nephews. You never knew what surprise awaited when Uncle Dan came to town.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hunger Book Sale, c/o All Saints’ Cathedral.