Charles L. Sylvester

Charles L. Sylvester

September 8, 1945 – May 11, 2025

Charles L. Sylvester, of Rochester, Massachusetts, passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born and raised in Scituate, MA, he was the son of Charles and Mary Sylvester.  Charles graduated from Scituate High School in 1963 alongside his three siblings. He later pursued his passion for automotive technology, graduating from the Franklin Institute of Boston.

A proud U.S. Marine, Charles honorably served his country in the Vietnam War as a combat engineer. His dedication to service and mechanical skill translated into civilian life, where he built a successful career owning and operating a Snap-on Tools business that served the Southcoast for over 30 years.

Charles had an unmatched passion for vehicles, building and modifying over a dozen Jeeps and trucks—making them faster, taller, and more powerful. His expertise was recognized in 2010 when he was featured in 4WD Mechanix Magazine. When he wasn’t in his garage working on his projects, he could be found exploring the county and hiking through the National Parks.

He was a devoted husband to Jeanne Sylvester, with whom he shared 54 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they raised three children and were blessed with four grandchildren, all of whom brought him immense pride and joy.

Charles will be remembered for his fierce independence, mechanical genius, devotion to family, unrelenting sense of humor, and unwavering determination. His legacy rides on in every engine he tuned, every trail he blazed, and every life he touched.

Charles is survived by his wife, Jeanne Sylvester, and their three children, Patricia McArdle and her husband Colin McArdle of Mattapoisett, MA, Ira Sylvester and his wife Suzie Sylvester of San Diego, CA, and Scott Sylvester and his wife, Brenda Sylvester of Lincoln, RI.  He is also survived by his brother Richard Sylvester and his wife Linda Evans of Springfield, MA, and survived by his four grandchildren, Ryan McArdle of Kyle, TX, Jordan McArdle of Quincy, MA, Andie Sylvester of Lincoln, RI and Jack Sylvester of Lincoln, RI.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Charles’ memory to a veteran’s organization of your choice.