Dr. Thomas Joseph Silvester

COLUMBIA - Thomas Joseph Silvester, Ph. D. loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, uncle, master educator and talented musician died on Saturday, December 3, 2016. A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at Shandon United Methodist Church at 1:00 PM officiated by Rev. C.E. Kanipe, Jr. A reception and visitation will follow in Player Hall. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel is assisting the family. Dr. Silvester was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on April 22, 1934. He was the eldest son of the late Danny and Ann Silvester. He graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem and received his B.S in Elementary Education from West Chester State Teacher’s College in 1956 where he was the leader of the Criterion Jazz Band. He began his teaching career in the Bethlehem City Schools. He was drafted into the army a year later and came to Fort Jackson for basic training. He was welcomed into the circle of musicians in Columbia immediately and quickly became friends with them. Tom along with musicians Johnny Helms, Roger Delilo, Dale Hawkins, Tally Kelly, Johnny Haynes, Bill Britton, and The State Newspaper columnist, Bob Talbert initiated the first Columbia Jazz Festival in 1960, which continued to be an annual event for many years. He met Carolyn Baker and they married on March 28, 1959. Tom continued his professional career as a teacher at Lower Richland High School teaching 7th grade math while pursuing his own education at the University of South Carolina, receiving his Masters and Ph. D in Education Administration. He became the principal of Eastover Elementary School in 1962 and was named the principal of Hood Street Elementary on Fort Jackson in 1963. He eventually became the Superintendent of the Department of Defense Schools at Fort Jackson and later also at Laurel Bay Marine Station in Beaufort. He served at both sites until his retirement in 2004. Dr. Silvester brought many progressive and innovative teaching methods to the teachers and students in the Department of Defense Schools, particularly in the area of reading instruction. His approach to education was hands on and one of his favorite activities was going into classrooms and reading books to children. His intense desire to provide a broad and exceptional educational experience for the students led to his introduction of a wide range of extracurricular activities including a band for the students, which he directed, along with intramural sports and art programs in addition to the standard curriculum. After his retirement, the auditorium at Pinckney Elementary School at Fort Jackson was named in his honor. He was also an adjunct education professor at the University of South Carolina and Columbia College for many years. Tom touched the lives of so many as a musician, playing the saxophone and writing arrangements for bands. Throughout his lifetime, he provided dance music for many celebrations, weddings and parties throughout South Carolina. Music was an important part of his life even in the latest stages of his illness. On the worst days, listening to music brought much happiness and comfort to him. Tom was a longtime member of Shandon United Methodist Church and the George Huggins Sunday School class. He was a member of the Spring Valley Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Tom’s default facial expression was a smile through which he broadcast his unique spirit of joy to everyone he met. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Silvester; daughter Sherri Greenberg (Bruce); sons Danny Silvester, M.D. and Tommy Silvester; his grandsons Bruce, Andy and William Greenberg; sister Carol Tulio; brother Jody Silvester and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Shandon United Methodist Church, 3407 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205, Pierce Terrace & CC Pickney Elementary School PTOs, 5900 Chestnut Road, Fort Jackson, SC 29206 or Laurel Bay Schools PTOs, 1523 Laurel Bay Blvd., Beaufort, SC 29906. The family wishes to thank Cardiologist, Dr. Michael Roberts; Internist, Dr. Craig Maylath; caregiver, Nina Blake and nurse, Cathy Conway for their commitment to Tom’s health and comfort.