DOVER - Thomas F. Sylvester Jr. passed away at Kent General Hospital on Apr. 8, 2017, from complications stemming from multiple illnesses.
Mr. Sylvester was born in Little Creek on Dec. 7, 1938, and was the son of the late Thomas F. Sylvester Sr. and Gladys Sylvester. After graduating from Dover High School in 1956, Mr. Sylvester enlisted in the Army National Guard. He received his commission in 1964 and retired as Major after 36 years of service. He also worked for ILC Dover in Frederica and Dover for 26 years as the primary astronaut test subject. He supported development and testing of space suits for the Apollo and Space Shuttle missions.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Sylvester and wife, Carol.
He is survived by his wife, Norma; his four children, Thomas, of Hartly, Timothy, Mark (Laci), of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; Suzanne MacDougald (Brian) of San Antonio, Texas; two step-children, Keith Harpster (Vicki), of Rehoboth and Leslie Rodriguez (Juan), of Smyrna; a brother, Gerald Sylvester (Emily), of Kissimmee, Fla.; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Burial will be private, but a memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date. Mr. Sylvester suffered from Parkinson's disease for many years. In his memory, the family asks for contributions to be made to www.michaeljfox.org.
Letters of condolences may be sent to www.traderfh.com