Lt Col Sylvester M D'Souza

IC-10126 Lt Col Sylvester M D'Souza left for his heavenly abode on 27 Nov 2007 at Goa. Sylvester retired from service on 01 Dec 1987 and had settled down in Goa. We served together in Western Command Signal Regiment at Jatogh in 1968-69. Subsequently, also, met him a few times on visits to 2STC. Ajit and I have fond memories of him and Mrs. D’Souza.
Sylvester was a very cultured, mature and friendly person. He interacted with others affably and was very popular. He always tried to counsel JCOs, NCOs and OR and explained things to them with great patience. He was a gentleman to the core and a good friend. His passing away so early is very sad and a big loss.
With profound grief.

Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen (Retd)

P.S. Friends and colleagues of Sylvester D’Souza may please add on to the above and pay their homage/ Shradhanjli to the departed Soul. Thanks.

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It was a matter of great sorrow to learn about the sad demise of Sylvester D'Souza. We were both ADSOs at Indarmy Signal Center in 1961-62, along with SK Vij, Natarajan, GK Singh etc. etc., and I have extremely fond memories of that association with Sylvester. When I think of him today, I think of him as a sincere friend with qualities of team spirit, very positive attitude, of affable nature and embodied with great sense of humour. We will miss him, but his spirit lives forever amongst us.

I am very keen to call his family in Goa. Can someone in 2 STC be kind enough to post his phone number or e-mail contact of his family to Moderator of the Blog?

Sharad Paranjape
Col (Retd)

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Me and my wife met Mrs D'souza on 02 Dec 2007, I had served with him in 1979 in 3TTR. He was the 2I/C.
He had heart trouble for some time and was admitted for breathlessness just a day before his demise.
He is survived by Mrs D' Souza and one son and two daughters. All of them are married and settled.

Nandan V Pande
Maj Gen

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I am very sad to learn of the untimely demise of Lt Col SM D'souza. Not only he was a course mate from the IMA days but we were also in the same company Sangro, and in the same platoon and hence had frequent interaction. All old memories come flooding back to mind now. We did putty parades together and would invariably be together doing sentry duties during camps at the IMA. He had an uncanny sense of humour and would keep us amused even when one felt low. His appearance belied the steely resolve within.
Sylvester had a problem doing the beam during PT and could not pass the test. We were thrilled when Sylvester won the boxing event in his weight and was promptly deemed to have passed the PT test as well. If I am not wrong, his opponent was Oswyn Pereira in the finals. Oswyn another course mate who joined the Corps of Signals was himself a fighter and an excellent boxer . Sylvester, with his long reach, gave him no chance to ever get close to his body and won the bout.
Sylvester was a thorough gentleman, who could harm no one and was always ready to help. My last meeting with him was during our degree course in Pune/ Mhow. Though we never served together but kept in touch through friends and inquired of each other's well being. Perhaps we could have met during the course get together at the IMA during the middle of this month but it was not destined to be.
Through this forum, I would like to send our heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family.

MA Siddiqui
Lt Col (Retd)
Date:05 Dec 2007