Joseph Sylvester

Opelousas- Funeral services for Mr. Joseph Jay Sylvester, age 69, will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, with a Mass of Christian Burial at Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas. Father Albert Nunez will officiate the mass. Interment will follow in the Bellevue Memorial Park.

Beloved husband and father, Joseph Jay Sylvester departed this life on May 3, 2009, at his residence of Washington, LA, to be with the Lord.

Jay, as he was affectionately known, was a devoted husband, and a proud father and grandfather who earned the love and respect of many throughout his career as an educator in the St. Landry Parish School System. He earned his B.S. Degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and his Masters Degree from Louisiana State University. He began teaching science in 1962 in Leonville, LA. Later, Jay found his calling in the subject of Agriculture which he began teaching in 1974 in Lawtell, LA until his career progressed and he was appointed principal of the Washington Vocational School. After completing six years as principal, he was appointed Supervisor of Vocational Education in 1988, a position he held until he retired in 2006.

Throughout his career, Jay received numerous awards, and in 2000, he was recognized as the Outstanding Vocational Educator for the State of Louisiana by the Louisiana Association for Career and Technical Education, and cited for his involvement in the development of the Louisiana Plan for Administration of Carl Perkins Vocational Education Funds and for implementation of state-of-the-art equipment in the vocational education programs in St. Landry Parish. He retired after 44 years of exemplary service to the students and system of St. Landry Parish.

Jay was well known not only in the education field, but also in the equine industry as a breeder and owner of Thoroughbred race horses. Other hobbies included hunting and fishing with family and friends.
PSPAN style

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
39 p.m.Wed. 8 11 a.m.

Service

Rosary Service

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
11:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Bellevue Memorial ParkH
4833 Highway 182
Opelousas, LA  70570