Carl L. Sylvester, Jr., MD

Dr. Carl L. Sylvester, Jr., 81, of Bethesda, Maryland, passed away on March 27, 2024 at a carefacility in Maryland. The cause was complications from Parkinson’s Disease.Dr. Sylvester was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Flora Masucci and Carl Louis Sylvester. Ata young age, Dr. Sylvester knew he wanted to be a physician and he worked diligently to becomeone. He graduated from the former Scranton Central High School in 1960, the College of theHoly Cross in 1964, and Georgetown University Medical School in 1968. During medicalschool, he served as a Dormitory Prefect and made many of his lifelong friends. He completedhis internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan, where he met his wife of 55 years, JeanElizabeth Comer. Dr. Sylvester and Ms. Comer were married on December 13, 1969 at NotreDame Church in North Caldwell, New Jersey.Dr. Sylvester served in the United States Coast Guard as a Lieutenant Commander aboard thewind-class icebreaker the USCGC Southwind, which deployed to the Arctic Circle and the Sovietport of Murmansk. After his military service, Dr. Sylvester returned to Washington, D.C., wherehe lived for most of his life. He completed his residency at Georgetown University Hospital, and,in 1977, Dr. Sylvester began his practice as an anesthesiologist at Sibley Memorial Hospital. Heremained at Sibley for his entire career. Dr. Sylvester loved being a physician and served formany years as the Chairman of the Anesthesiology Department, President of the Medical Staff,and member of the Board of Trustees. In 2009, Sibley awarded him Physician of the Year. WhileDr. Sylvester was chairman, the John Carroll Society presented the Pro Bono Health Care Awardto Sibley’s anesthesiology department for its extraordinary pro bono medical service to hundredsof low-income area residents. He was active in the American Society of Anesthesiologists.Dr. Sylvester was a devout Catholic and faithful parishioner of Holy Trinity Catholic Church inGeorgetown for many years, where he served as president of the parish council. Once hisgrandchildren began attending the Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda, Maryland, he becamea parishioner there too.Parkinson’s Disease hastened his retirement from practicing medicine, however, Dr. Sylvestercontinued to take his boards and maintained his anesthesia certification until 2023. He fought theprogression of his disease with vigilance and grace, and he proactively engaged in any routinethat helped him maintain his independence. Upon his retirement, he attended Dance forParkinson’s Disease classes at the Kennedy Center and went to mass on a daily basis for as longas he was able.While medicine was his calling, Dr. Sylvester’s life was rich with interests and pastimes. He wasintellectual, driven and curious, and he loved to learn. He was an avid reader. He loved the NewYork Times crossword puzzle, movies, music, and the theater. He was an opera and balletdevotee and attended both frequently with family and friends. He loved traveling with his wifeand children, ski trips, running, and the beach. He was a gourmet cook. He loved to be withpeople and delighted in laughter and long conversations around the dinner table. He wasunfailingly generous with his time and his wisdom. Being a grandparent was a supreme joy, andhe found great happiness in big celebrations and holidays, as well as marking smaller milestonesand achievements. Above all, he loved his family.Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Jean Comer Sylvester of Bethesda, Maryland; threechildren, Kathryn Comer Mays (Alex) of Bethesda, Maryland, Margaret Comer Sylvester(Geoff) of Los Angeles, California, and Carl L. Sylvester, III (Amy) of Bethesda, Maryland; andeight grandchildren, Sophia, Regan and Ryan Mays, Quinlan and Violet Foster, and John,William, and Sean Sylvester.Family will receive friends at the Church of the Little Flower, 5607 Massachusetts Ave.,Bethesda, Maryland on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., where a Mass ofChristian Burial will follow at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made inDr. Sylvester’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Sibley Memorial Hospital Foundation.