Alan Francis Sylvester, 88, passed away peacefully at his home in South Burlington, Vt., on October 30, 2026, with his family by his side.
Born in St. Albans, Vt., on August 31, 1938, to Harold and Cecile Sylvester, Alan spent his youth in St. Albans, enjoying summers at Camp Kill Kare, where he developed a lifelong passion for swimming. Known to most by his childhood nickname, “Buzzy”/”Buzz,” he attended St. Mary’s and Bellows Free Academy, where he co-captained the football and basketball teams, covered sports for the local newspaper, and acted in school plays.
In 1956 the Sylvester family moved to Burlington, and Buzz enrolled at the University of Vermont, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, developing friendships that lasted his entire life. At UVM, he met the love of his life, Diane Hedley, while they were both working at the UVM dining hall.
In 1961, Alan attended Albany Law School, earning his Juris Doctorate degree in 1964. Following graduation, he “made the best decision of his life” and married Diane, beginning their 62 years together.
Alan’s long and legendary legal career began in 1964. After a few years in general practice, he began limiting his practice to civil litigation. In 1975, he cofounded the plaintiff’s litigation firm Sylvester & Maley, which was known as one of the premier litigation firms in the state for almost 40 years.
Alan was a hard-nosed litigator, known for his high level of preparedness and zealous advocacy. In 1982, he was inducted into the prestigious, invitation-only American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), which restricts fellowship to 1 percent of trial lawyers from any given state. At the time, he was the youngest attorney from the state of Vermont to be inducted into the ACTL. In multiple years, the legal publication Best Lawyers in America named Alan “Lawyer of the Year” in Vermont within his litigation specialty. Throughout his career he was continually recognized by peer-reviewed publications as one of the best trial lawyers not only in Vermont but the nation.
During his career, Alan served as president of the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association and as a member of its Board of Governors; president of the Chittenden County Bar Association; and was a member of the Vermont Board of Bar Examiners and the Vermont Bar Association’s Professional Conduct Committee.
Alan loved his work and was dedicated to representing “the little guy” against high-powered foes. He was especially pleased when two of his children, Amy and Mark, became trial lawyers and eventually joined him in his practice in Burlington.
Alan was a passionate advocate for the intellectually disabled. After his daughter Cathy was born with Down syndrome, he and Diane fought tirelessly for inclusion and equality. He served as president and longtime board member of the Bennett C. Douglas School, which provided education to the disabled. He was also instrumental in the passage of Public Law 94-142, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which gave children with physical or intellectual disabilities the same right as other children to a public school education. Due to his and Diane’s efforts, Cathy was one of the first individuals with Down syndrome to graduate with a high school degree, paving the way for those who followed.
Buzz was well known for his wit and humor. You’d be hard-pressed to meet a friend or colleague who didn’t have many funny and memorable stories to share.
When he wasn’t working, Buzz travelled extensively throughout the world with Diane and their dear friends and family. Their travels took them far and wide, including multiple trips to Africa, Asia, North and South America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Amongst his most treasured memories and travels were annual winter trips spanning nearly 50 years to his beloved Sanibel Island with Diane, their children and grandchildren; as well as a quest with his son, Mark, to see a baseball game in every major-league ballpark in the country.
One of Buzzy’s greatest joys was living next door to his three grandchildren, Caroline, Charlie and Jack, seeing them on a near-daily basis during their childhood. Buzzy loved family holidays, often dressing up as Santa Claus or conducting legendary Easter egg hunts, much to the delight of the grandkids. He was a fixture at their school activities and athletics, taught all three to swim, and dispensed sage advice and words of wisdom that they will carry with them forever.
Alan is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Diane Hedley Sylvester, and their three children, Amy Elise and her husband, Jon Averill; Cathleen Ann Sylvester; and Mark Alan Sylvester. Buzzy also leaves his three cherished grandchildren, Caroline Cecile Raschle (Elias), Charles Alan Averill and Jack Christopher Averill. He is further survived by his siblings and their spouses, Harlan and Joan Sylvester, and Gail and Edward Cashman; as well as many close nephews and nieces.
A private family service to celebrate Alan’s life will take place at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To share memories, photos and online condolences for the family, please visit readyfuneral.com.