Ross Mills Sylvanus Jr., proud veteran
Ross "Rick" Mills Sylvanus Jr., 78, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023. He was born March 21, 1944, in Wilmington, son of the late Ross M. Sr. and Margaret (Hopton) Sylvanus. He lived most of his life in the Lewes/Rehoboth Beach area but was raised in Wilmington.
Rick enlisted in the Navy Oct. 7, 1963, and left for Vietnam to serve on the USS Frank Knox for four years. He served as an electrician for the Navy, leading to his lifelong craft as a master electrician. After his discharge from the Navy, he worked for the Dover Air Force Base as an independent contractor for many years as a master electrician, which allowed him to travel the world and see many places. One of his favorite places was Crete, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Rick was proud of his work and travels, and loved to tell stories of the places he’d seen and of the conquests he’d been on!
Rick took early retirement because the beaches of Delaware kept calling to him, or to hear him tell it, “To become a beach bum!” Rick loved the beach and would spend all his summers soaking up the sun, playing horseshoes, bodysurfing, and surf-fishing. When he wasn’t at the beach, he liked spending time at the Lewes VFW, playing pool with friends. He was very good at pool and even played in a pool league for many years. His favorite holiday was Christmas and he loved to decorate for the season! At 60, Rick decided to quit drinking and stayed sober for the last 19 years and he was very proud of that accomplishment! He became a bit of a hermit in his late years or per him he had “recliner-itis." He was loving and a jokester. He will be deeply missed by his children and grandchildren!
In addition to his parents, Rick was preceded in death by his two siblings: Jeanne Dimaio and Robert Sylvanus. He is survived by his four children: Margaret Sylvanus, Amanda (Justin) Aaron, Noelle (David) Weed and Rick (Michele) Sylvanus III; his grandchildren: Clara Sylvanus, Kinsley Aaron, Bentley Aaron, Ashlynn Aaron and Haley Weed.
Final care for Rick has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Visit Rick's Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
