James Dufton Sylvester, 76, of Wauwatosa, died Wednesday morning September 15, 1999. He is survived by his wife Phyliss, their 5 children and families; Patti and Nick Spencer, mark and Tammy Sylvester, Mary Beth and Dan Berchild, Christine Sylvester, Michael and Mary Sylvester; eight grandchildren and one brother Robert of Bloomington, IL. Jim was preceded in death by his parents (James and Mabel Sylvester) and siblings, Joanne, Richard, and Margie. Jim, born in Oconto, escaped the latter years of the Depression by enlisting in the Navy. He served 5 years, primarily on the destroyer minesweeper USS Boggs in the South Pacific. He was awarded a special medal as a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Following WW11, he attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, married Phyliss, and began employment with the Wisconsin Telephone Company as an installer in Oshkosh. Promotions and transfers moved the family around the state and moved Jim from pole to boardroom. He retired in 1982 as Independent Relations Manager, having served as liaison between baby bell and over 100 independent phone companies. In 1983, Jim was selected to serve on the board of directors of the Platteville Telephone Company. Retirement also brought membership in the Telephone Old Timers and many trips with Phyliss, their most memorable including those to Alaska, Charleston (following Hurricane Andrew), and Prince Edward Island. Jim always willing to help friends, was a founding member of the Breakfast Optimist Club in Appleton, serving as it's president in the early 1960's. His family, friends and neighbors are grateful for the many great gifts Jim shared with them over the years; loaves of bread fresh from the oven; refinished furniture, games of cribbage and pinochle, familiarity with light opera, love of history, a passion for politics, a strong work ethic, integrity and a welcome handshake. Jim's body has been donated to the Medical College of Wisconsin. Visitation with the family was held at St. Therese Church of Milwaukee at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 18, 1999 and a memorial service followed at 10:00 a.m. the same day. Donations to St. Therese Church in Milwaukee or the American Lung Association are appreciated.