I met Roger 25 years ago when he was barely 60 years old, and Glenn Urquhart started inviting me to play Tuesday night tennis with the guys.
Gary Dodwell, John King and Roger were regulars and I just said “yes” every time I was asked to play.
After tennis we would head directly to the Jericho bar. I would buy the first round and Glenn would host dinner. Their friends would drop by for a chat, especially the Cheevers brothers, Larry Cheevers always teasing with a glint in his eye.

All of us cherished those Tuesday nights together.

When Roger was turning 70, he pulled me aside to say that his doctor wanted him to do more fitness. Could he be a client of mine the way Glenn was?
I really couldn’t imagine being Roger’s Personal Trainer!
But I said yes, of course, and for the last 14 years Roger and I have met once or twice a week to focus on his fitness.
In recent years I will arrive at Roger’s place bringing coffees with me and Rangie will join us for coffee and conversation. Then we’ll get going on his fitness routine. 
I am reminded of Roger when Oliver Wendall Holmes wrote:

“There is no friend like an old friend,
Who has shared our morning days,
No greeting like his welcome,
No homage like his praise.”

Take care and thank you,      Danny Peart




We first met Roger when he and Rangie joined the Jericho Tennis Club in the mid sixties.  Besides not too serious tennis ,we had great social times there. Roger was outgoing, one of a kind, with a joyful happy go lucky personality.
Roger was a genuine and congenial host to his family and friends with invitations to events at his home, and on these occasions he was able to pull magic out of the hat to make them extra special.
Roger, you will be sadly missed. God bless you and may your soul rest in peace and tranquility.
Our deepest condolences to Rangie, a life she shared with Roger for over fifty years


Breakfast at the usual spot, the usual table,  a great way to start the day!!!

Jeeti's birthday in Victoria, one of so many great memories.............

A great evening in Toronto, Uncle Roger, as always, said "reach for that bill and I'll break your arm"............. generous, all the time

THINKING ABOUT ROGER

Many of our friends have A type personalities but Roger was an A+. He loved life with a contagious passion and he loved people and being in immersed in the vitality of friends and a crowd. 

There are so many happy memories with oodles of standout occasions – like our first time at Yellow Point with the gang back in the 1970s, our “spider weekend” at Harrison, the regular Tuesday nights tennis and then dinners at Earls for the boys while the gals played bridge, many fun-filled parties at 19th and then at York Street, our Saturday afternoon happy hours and Friday night dinners at Jericho, and so many parties and special celebrations. 

We always looked forward to Roger doing his magic tricks, delighting not only our kids but us grown-ups alike. And he loved his family and was so proud of his nieces and nephews.

Roger was a truly “comfortable friend”. He was always genuinely glad to see you and to spend time with you. He faced the challenges of his health by fighting on with great positivity and a determination to overcome. 

Warm, energetic, adventurous, strong, funny, caring, Roger threw himself at life with a wonderful vigour and took from it the best it had to offer. He loved you so much Rangie and the life you shared. Your caring allowed Roger to be the very best of himself.

You were a truly treasured friend Roger (Rogeé as Diana called him). We will miss you!

Love from John & Diana 

I first met Roger in Nicaragua in 1969  - yes 54 years ago!  While Roger was not the 1st diamond driller I met - he was the first one I could communicate with!   While we co-habited in a very modest hotel in eastern Nicaragua (Rosita mine area) we shared many meals and a few drinks.  Roger was hired by Newmont Mining to manage their 1st drill campaign in that country.  Not only did he manage the drilling eventually Roger took on some of the duties of a Project Manager when it became clear that Newmont's geologist was not up to the job!  

I re-connected with Roger many years later in Vancouver and was able to visit and get to know him in his hood.  There I learned that pre Nicaragua - Roger had worked a brief stint at the Coniaurum gold mine in Schumacher Ontario and remembered my Grandfather - Mike Bugera who was the hoistman.  Small world - but then again Roger lived large and never sat around waiting for something to come to him.  He was a man of many talents and skills.

Roger I miss you.  You were a good northern Ontario boy who went out and saw the world and lived an adventurous and meaningful life.  Roger Sylvestre - you were a very good guy and a good friend.  

Great Uncle Roger, a man of great grace
with stories to tell and a smile on his face. 
He’d sit in his chair, with a twinkle in his eye 
and regale us with tales of days gone by.
From wars and adventures to loves lost and found,
his life was a journey that always astounds. 

Great Uncle Roger, with laughter and tears, with wisdom and wit,
He taught us to cherish the moments we sit 
and savor the past, with all its delight 
and hold onto memories, day and night. 

So here's to you, dear Uncle Roger we honour you, for all of your days. You may have left us, but your spirit lives on 
in the laughter and love,forever it will be our bond. 

Great Uncle Roger, forever in our hearts
A shining example, of a life well-parted. 

Ranji and family:
I was saddened to hear of Roger’s passing but understand he was not doing well.  I worked with Roger for 10 years at Tyhee and through those years we became good friends.  Roger was always interested in what I was doing post Tyhee and he often updated me on where his next travels would be.  We talked many times about he and Ranji visiting us in Arizona during the winter months, I’m saddened that we were not able to have that visit.  During our time working together Roger was very supportive of my role within the Tyhee management group which was much appreciated.  Roger was a good and decent man and I will miss our frequent chats but know that he is now in a better place free from pain.  My deepest condolences go out to Ranji and other family members hope they, as I do, remember the good times we enjoyed just by knowing Roger. Rest in Peace my friend. 
Hugh R. Wilson


Cher Roger,
C’est avec peine que nous avons reçu le message de ton décès. 
C’est avec joie que tu es maintenant avec le Seigneur que tu aimais et respectais  sur terre. 
Nos sincères condoléances à toute la famille. 
With love and esteem,
Fran and Larry. 

Roger and I met when we were involved with Mongolia Gold Resources, later Tyhee Development Corp.  Through our numerous meetings, telephone conversations and our various travels to Toronto, New York, San Francisco, Yellowknife, ... I got to know Roger as one of the most genuinely nicest persons I've ever met.  He was always friendly, smiling, happy, funny, and he always saw the sunshine behind every cloud.  He will be forever missed.

I will always remember my time with Roger, whether it be in Mongolia, Yellowknife or Europe.  He was larger than life with a heart to match.  His life was in the mining business and I was fortunate to cross paths in the 1990's.  Since then I started my family and saw them move on.  Each and everyone of us impacted by our time with Roger.  I recall the time in France when the lineup at security at Charles de Gaulle was counted in the many hundreds.   Roger "lost" his ability to speak French as we walked passed hundreds of frustrated travelers, up to the check in for the crew.  Many shouts of hundreds of angry passengers followed us as we, head down, ignored the protests.  We made our flight that few others could.  Love you Roger!

OBITUARIO

Roger Gilles Joseph Sylvestre

22 septiembre, 1938 – 27 enero, 2023

Hamilton Harron Funeral Home

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