Former fire chief Victor “Spud” Sylvester passes

Posted on November 6, 2017
Victor “Spud” Sylvester held the position of Normal Fire Chief for eight years. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Normal Fire Department)

By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – The town of Normal’s first full-time fire chief has died.

Victor “Spud” Sylvester started out as a volunteer firefighter from 1952 until he became the chief in 1968. He held that job for eight years, according to the fire department’s Facebook page.

His obituary said Sylvester was also a laborer, a railroad electrician, a lineman and phone installer for General Telephone, and he served in the Army and Army National Guard.

Sylvester’s funeral will be Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at Carmody Flynn Funeral Home, with visitation Wednesday from four to seven p.m. at Carmody Flynn.

Victor “Spud” Sylvester died Friday at his home. He was 89 years old.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

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