We are saddened to learn that Phil Sylvestro, a very dedicated and active teacher in Wallingford for 35 years, passed away earlier this month. He was dedicated to his family, students, and colleagues, and a true friend throughout his life. He was a truly honest man for all.
As a Wallingford Education Association teacher advocate, he was a WEA vice president, grievance chair, member of the negotiations team, and a valued advisor and confidant, advocating for teachers. He had the respect of his faculty, administration, and members of the WEA for more than three decades. He was dedicated to being a teacher and to standing up for teacher rights. He was also one of the first teachers in Connecticut to actively explore technology in education.
For CEA, he was a member of the Board of Directors for 20 years. He was very active on many of CEA’s committees, including the CEA Building Committee that built our current 21 Oak Street offices. His knowledge of zoning and building were invaluable in that project. He was a delegate to the CEA Representative Assembly for more than two decades, and worked with leaders throughout the state and earned their respect.
On the NEA level he was a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly for 20 years, serving on the New Business and Budget Committees. He worked tirelessly with Connecticut and national political leaders on behalf of teachers, and knew many politicians personally from his political involvement at the local level.
He was the kind of leader we all aspire to be. He worked hard at everything he did. Phil successfully advocated for many of the benefits and protections that teachers enjoy today. He was a hero in all the important ways in life. He will be sorely missed!
