Soldier finally laid to rest

Sylvester reportedly died from heart failure following a training exercise on August 15 while in Jamaica attending a Senior Officers’ Course which was being hosted by the Jamaican Defence Force at their Newcastle Training Depot.

The officer was taken to the University of the West Indies hospital after complaining of chest pains.

He was pronounced dead on arrival.

Sylvester’s immediate family reportedly experienced many difficulties in bringing his body back from Jamaica.

Several senior members of the Coast Guard, Police Service, and Cadet Force were on hand to participate in the military portion of the procession.

Retired Brigadiers Carl Alfonso and John Sandy were also noticeably involved in the military event.

Sylvester’s ex-wife, Bianca Sylvester and fiance Samantha Springer wept simultaneously as the undertakers lowered his casket. Springer was later granted the memorial military cross in remembrance of her deceased husband to be.

The procession, which began after a brief service at the Church of the Assumption, Maraval, lasted approximately 40 minutes and ended at the Military Cemetery on Long Circular Road. Elderly family members braved the mid- morning heat with the assistance of military personnel and younger family members as they walked the Long Circular Road incline behind the gun carriage upon which Sylvester’s casket lay.

A drum roll accompanied the Regiment Band’s rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” as the procession entered the cemetery compound.

Following Sylvester’s internment, an echoing 21-gun salute sparked distinct sobbing from family members.

Sylvester had been a Regimental Officer for over 20 years of his life. He leaves to mourn his son, Arel, daughter Lynisha, and brothers Ivan, Cyrus, Patrick and Cleo.