Richard Douglas Sylver of Dennis passed away peacefully on December 11, 2023 at the age of 102 . He was born in Brewster, MA, the son of the late Leon and Marion (Shiverick) Sylver. He was the beloved husband of Lois (Loud) Sylver for 64 years until her passing in 2011. Dick was an original "Cape Codder" and direct descendant of the Shiverick family who built eight famous Clipper Ships in East Dennis.
 
As a young boy the family moved to Dennis and Dick was educated in the Dennis school system. He grew up in a family with eight siblings and according to his Mom he was the "rowdy" one. The tales our family used to hear from our grandmother would keep us entertained for hours, learning about our dad and his early years. He left school early to help his family with the daily living expenses and then in 1942 he was drafted into the service and was sent overseas during WWII to serve in the United States Army. He was a member of the Armored Tank Division, Black Panther Unit stationed during the European Theater in both France and Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He received the French Legion of Honor Medal from the French government many years later, the highest honor a soldier can receive for their service, and one of which he was extremely proud. Upon returning from active duty, he worked for various building contractors throughout the Mid Cape area. He managed the Dennis Garage gas station for several years on Route 6A in Dennis Village. He worked for the Dennis Police Department as both a full-time and part-time officer. After leaving the Dennis Police Department, Dick joined the Barnstable County Sheriffs Department until his full retirement.
 
 During his off-time he could be found harvesting cranberries on the family-owned cranberry bogs or out on the clam flats during those "special" tides to get as many sea clams as he could to take home for Lois to make her home- made Sea Clam Pies (a family tradition and recipe). Dick was a self-taught man whose skills were extremely plentiful and he was always willing to lend a hand to help family, friends or neighbors in time of need.
 
 He especially enjoyed having his family around him and was extremely proud of his six grandchildren. Dick is survived by his three children: Marjorie Guy, Richard Sylver (Mary) and Sandy Ghilardi all of Dennis. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Rick Abraham Jr., Dan Abraham, Jeremy Abraham, Jim Ghilardi, Amy Abraham and Sean Sylver as well as nine great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his eight siblings: L. Earl Sylver, Gladys Sears, Norman Sylver, Ruth Thacher, Dorothy Franklin, Marion “Betty” Harding, Phyllis Gifford and Teresa Dawson.
 
Mr. Sylver was a seventy-year member of Mount Horeb Lodge AF & AM as well as a member of the Dennis Union Church for many, many years.
 
The family would like to thank Anodyne Home Health Care and Elder Services of Cape Cod and The Islands for their wonderful care and support given to our Dad over the past two and a half years, as well as the VNA Hospice for their wonderful guidance and care given our Dad during the past month, especially Karen and Margot.
 
Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Monday, December 18, 2023 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with a masonic service at 12:30 pm at Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA.  Interment will be private.
 
Contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to Elder Services of Cape Cod and The Islands, Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660.

To the family of Dick Sylver: As the eldest living local, he made history. His presence is missed by me and a loss for the entire community. May he rest in peace.

Our sincere condolences on Dick's passing. He was a wonderful man and we appreciate everything he did to make my mom's life more memorable during her final years. He will always be loved and remembered by our family. We love you Dick Sylver!! God Bless you, we will never forget you....RIP