Thomas Edward Sylvester

Thomas Edward Sylvester passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on the morning of January 30, 2017. He was preceded in death by his father Thomas John, his mother Ruby, and his son Rick. He is survived by his wife Joyce, his siblings Rosie, Joann, and Danny, his children Randy, Teri, and Michelle, and his grandchildren Gabe, Danielle, and Derek. Tom, or “Eddie” as he was known to his parents and siblings, was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. In 1951, at the age of 20, he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base. Upon his arrival in Spokane, he immediately became involved with the local Community of Christ Church where he would remain active as a volunteer and elder for decades. It was through the church that Tom would also meet his wife, Joyce (Burkart), whom he married in 1955. After leaving the Air Force, Tom chose to stay in Spokane to raise his family and went to work for the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier. Over the course of his 35-year career he delivered mail to hundreds of houses in Spokane and was remembered by those on his routes as “The Whistling Mailman” due to the cheerful tunes he would whistle as he worked. Throughout his life he was a hardworking and selfless man that lent most of his free time to helping people around him. After his retirement, he spent 28 years engaging in two of his favorite pastimes as a volunteer cook and tax preparer with organizations such as Crosswalk, Sinto Senior Center, Central Methodist Church, and AARP. When Tom wasn’t volunteering he also enjoyed baking bread, cinnamon rolls, and cakes, tending to his garden, and chatting with friends and strangers alike over coffee and donuts. A memorial service for Tom will be held at the Community of Christ Church at 11515 E Broadway Ave, in the Spokane Valley on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:00pm. Tom’s family warmly welcomes any of those whose lives he touched to join them in celebrating his life. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you please donate to Hospice of Spokane, 121 S. Arthur, Spokane, WA 99201, or a charity of your choice.