SYLVESTER ANTHONY

IN MEMORY OF OLD XAVERIAN PAST PRESIDENT SYLVESTER ANTHONY: The sudden news of the demise of Old Xaverian Past President Sylvester Jones Anthony shocked many of his relatives and friends twenty years ago.

Though he left his family, relatives and friends two decades ago, he is always remembered with much affection.

At one point he was closer to his son Robin’s class mates than the acquaintance made by Robin. The OBA activities came to a standstill position during the 88/89 era due to the continuous disturbances in the civil society. Even though the OBA was playing a passive role, Mr. Sylvester kept in touch with the young and the old alike, and continued to be the President until 1997. His services towards the OBA, College and the society is always appreciated with gratitude.

The following appreciation appeared in the Daily News 2nd November 2002.

Born on the 19th November 1935 to a Catholic family in Nuwara Eliya, Mr.Sylvester was the eldest of three brothers and five sisters. He had his entire education at SXC from 1943-1954 during the stewardship of Rectors Fr.Clement Marie, Fr.D.D.Barsenbach, Fr.D.O.Filiponni and Fr.D.M.Xavier and was under the guidance of three head masters i.e. Messrs. K.P.Joseph, D.D’Abrera and D.Amos.

While schooling he excelled in sports and his special forte was football. He represented the College Old Boys’ Football club, The YMCA, the Nuwara Eliya district Team at different levels, and was appointed an all Ceylon referee by the Ceylon Football Federation.

In 2000, the Sri Lanka Football Federation realizing his long standing services rewarded him.

He was a member of the Parish council and did his best for his College and Church. In the late 70’s he became an executive committee member of the OBA and in 1987 he was unanimously elected as the President of the OBA. He served the OBA till the end of 1997. During his tenure of office he was of immense service to the College performed amidst onslaughts. He was disheartened when he did not receive the necessary co-operation from the educational authorities in reviving the College which was a long –standing struggle of the people interested.

He passed away after a brief illness on the 3rd September 2002 in Nuwara Eliya.

May the dreams of this grand Old Xaverian go a long way.

Daily News 2nd November 2002/TBJ