AUBURN – Ralph Lewis Sylvester was born Aug. 1, 1924, in Lewiston, the middle child of Orville L. and May (Perkins) Sylvester. He died Nov. 5, 2023. He attended Auburn Schools and graduated from Edward Little High School in 1942, Bates College, class of 1950, and Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University, class of 1959. On June 17, 1949, he married Elaine Miller of Auburn and they shared 70 happy years together. They enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, and visiting in Amish country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for many years. He was a member of the 295th Combat Engineers Battalion during World War II in Europe followed by six years in the Army Reserve. Ralph arrived on Omaha Beach about a week after D-Day, then spent the rest of the war clearing minefields and building bridges for troops heading inexorably toward Germany. He later fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was employed in banking and retired from Somerset Telephone Company in North Anson. He was a corporator of the Auburn Public Library, member of High Street Congregational Church since 1952, an associate member of the Waterford Congregational Church UCC, Robbini Lodge #150 A.F. & A.M. Scottish Rite Bodies, member of ELHS Class of 1942 Alumni Committee, and member of William S. Rogers American Legion Post #153. Ralph was also an Honor Flight ambassador. After retiring, Ralph and his wife had breakfast daily at the Bobcat Den at Bates College in Lewiston and was a Den regular. After she passed away, he continued this morning ritual in the Commons. He was a beloved member of the Bates and Lewiston-Auburn communities. Earlier this year, the Bates College crew team named a new racing shell for Ralph and presented to him a rowing blade, an honor usually reserved for Senior Bates rowers at graduation to recognize his “commitment to the program from the start to the finish.”

He was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Evelyn Sylvester and Eleanor Sylvester, and his wife Elaine. We would like to thank Maine Veterans Home, Androscoggin Homecare and Hospice, Bruce, Arlene and Jared Whichard, Crystal Guerette, Dave and Debbie Briggs, Peter and Jackie Rybeck, Joe and Pat Pelliccia, and many other friends in his life. 

Memorial services honoring Ralph’s life will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, November 21, at the Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home, 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway, Lewiston. Family and friends are invited to visit one hour prior to services. Burial will be held 12 p.m., Wednesday, November 22, at the Maine Veterans Cemetery Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta with United States Army military honors.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at http://www.lynchbrothers.com

Memorial donations in Ralph’s name may be made to the Auburn Public Library

49 Spring St.,

Auburn, Maine 04210

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