Dr. Clifford Wayne Sylvia
Dr. Clifford Wayne Sylvia
April 8, 1944 – February 24, 2026
Cliff, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, educator, and man of deep faith, passed away unexpectedly, leaving a legacy that spans generations.
Born on April 8, 1944, he was the son of George and Rose (Marshall) Sylvia. He was born and raised in the city of Taunton, MA. From those roots, he built a life grounded in integrity, commitment, and service to others.
Cliff shared 42 devoted years of marriage with his beloved wife, Lori Peltola. Together they built a life filled with love, strength, adventure, and unwavering partnership.
He was a proud and devoted father to his three daughters with Karen: Cindy Sylvia (Yvette), Beth Sylvia (Lisa), and Amy Kazlauskas (Matthew). His daughters were his joy and his pride, and he carried that pride into every room he entered.
Nothing lit up his heart more than his two grandsons, Joey and Quincy. He was endlessly proud of the young men they are and being their grandfather was one of his greatest blessings. He also had a granddaughter Kiara that gave him great joy.
Cliff was the oldest sibling and only brother to Clyde Sylvia (Jan). He was also a loving uncle and Godfather to his three nephews, Christopher, Daniel, and Stephen.
Education was not just his profession, it was his calling. He earned his bachelor’s degree from The College Emporia (Kansas) and he made music tickling the ivorys as a member of The Band The Moonriders. He earned 2 Master degrees and PhD in Education from Johnson and Wales University. A 60-year educator, he devoted more than 50 years to serving the Wareham community. He was a teacher, coach, department head, DECA Advisor and he chaired the Wareham School Committee. He shaped thousands of lives with strength, fairness, and high expectations rooted in the belief that all students deserved the same opportunity to learn. He also served as Assistant Principal and later Principal of Sandwich High School, where his leadership reflected his deep belief in all kids.
Outside of his professional life, Cliff loved to cruise and spend long days fishing on his boat riding his bike and skiing the slopes. The water brought him peace and joy. Deeply proud of his Portuguese heritage, his visits to São Miguel were especially meaningful to him, a place where his roots, faith, and love of family felt closest to home.
He was a man of faith and a devoted member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. His faith guided his life, steady, humble, and unwavering in his pursuit of relationships with God and others.
Cliff leaves behind a family who adored him, a community forever shaped by him, and generations of students who carry forward the lessons he taught, both inside and outside the classroom along with countless close friends and family.
Cliff is the president of the Barth Scholarship Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors of the Cranberry Credit Union.
His legacy lives on in the lives he built, the standards he set, and the love he gave so freely.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Wed., March 4, 2026 at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham from 4 – 7 PM. His funeral will from the funeral home on Thur., March 5, 2026 at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, 94 High St., Wareham at 10 AM. Burial in Agawam Cemetery will be private at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wareham High School DECA program. Make checks payable to Wareham High School with “DECA” in the memo field, 7 Viking Dr., Wareham, MA 02571 OR American Heart Association at www.heart.org
For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com
