Sylvester Joseph Paul

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, godfather and friend Sylvester Joseph Paul on January 19, 2026. Sylvester was a member of the Holy Family Parish in Eskasoni.

Sylvester fought a courageous battle with lung cancer and passed into the spirit world peacefully and surrounded by family and loved ones.

Sylvester was a people person. He met and knew so many people from everywhere he went, lived and worked. There wasn’t a day go by that everyone got a taste of Sylvester’s humorous nature and storytelling. He always had a smile and a laugh for everyone. He enjoyed many things in life but the most important was family, friends, visiting and socializing. He enjoyed karaoke, dancing and hanging out in double-up rooms. He had an immense love and passion for sports. It ran through his veins. He was like an encyclopedia of sports. It didn’t matter what sport it was, he could tell you all about it and watched it all. He coached the Eskasoni kids with his late friend Dennis for a bit and he played hockey and baseball in his early years. He was a huge Toronto Maple Leaf fan.

Sylvester wore a number of different work hats over his lifetime. From a young man to a middle aged man he worked in the blueberry fields in Maine, USA during the summers. In his early 20’s he worked in Halifax, NS. He worked as a bellhop at the Holiday Inn and spent a number of years working at the Native Mi’kmaq Friendship Center. He was a Penitentiary Liaison Officer for indigenous inmates, helping them adjust to life in and out of the prison system. He worked for the Eskasoni Fishery as a fisherman for a bit. He worked at Seal Island at a fish farm. He also worked in the woods cutting pulp as a young man with his dad and later with others. He served as a community councillor for a two year term. He was a carpenter by trade and was a part of building many homes in Eskasoni including his own home.his most recent job was store clerk at Muin Gasbar in Castle Bay for over 20 years where he became affectionately known as “Uncle Syl” by many people throughout his community of Eskasoni.

Sylvester is survived by his wife of 48 years, Brenda(Cooper). His sons Bradley, Todd (Sherry Ann), Matthew, David and Sylvester, Jr.(Mary) and daughter, Rylee (Rees). Grandchildren: Amira, Julian, Todd Jr., Titan, Joy, Jayden, Sophia,Houston, Sylvester Jr., Iverson and step grandson Darren Googoo. Godchildren: Scott Stevens and Pasmay Paul. Sisters: Grace Sylliboy (George), Bridget Paul, Patricia Morris, Loretta Sylliboy, Arlene Stevens, Florence Dennis (Steve), Mary Marshall, Jacqueline Young (Allan), Rita Isaac. Brothers: John Jerome Paul (Sharon), Gary Paul (Jeanette).

He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Mary(Battiste) Paul, brother Peter Lallo Paul, daughter, Melissa Anne Paul, nieces, Simone Sylliboy, Angie Stevens nephews, David Morris, Nash Paul, Gary Sylliboy and Anthony Dennis. Also parents-in-law, Arthur and Veda Cooper, brother-in-law, Timothy Cooper, Godparents, Arthur Julian and Caroline Gould and many friends.

Visitation will take place starting on Thursday, January 22nd at 7pm at the Gabriel Centre in Eskasoni and continuing until the start of the Mass. Mass will be celebrated at 10am on Saturday, January 24th at Holy Family Church, Eskasoni with Fr. Antolin Asor officiating. Internment in the parish cemetery and Salite will take place immediately following the mass. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting twcurry.com.