John A. Sylvester

John Andrew Sylvester passed away on May 9, 2023 at St. Francis Hospital. John was a history teacher. He was born on December 20, 1935 in Springfield, MA. He was the son of the late Andrew A. Sylvester and Stella Davies Sylvester. John attended West Springfield Schools and graduated with the class of 1953. He graduated with honors and a major in History at Harvard College in the class of 1957. He received a master of arts in 1959 and a PHD in 1967 in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. From 1966 to 1995 he taught at Oklahoma State University where he was an Associate Professor. Earlier, from 1958 to 1962 he had served in the United States Army as a staff Sergeant and Special agent in the Counterintelligence Corps and was cited for “Exemplary Service”. He also earned the Good conduct Medal and Honorable Discharge.
As long ago as the fourth grade (1944-1945) at ages 8 and 9, he had a lifelong love of history and geography and loved to share it. He wanted students to write a good paragraph for critical thinking and learning, be precise and be aware of it. He is predeceased by his brother, David A. Sylvester. Toomey O’Brien Funeral Home is in Charge of the arrangements.