I grew up In Alex. Va. went to St Joseph School, I was a few yrs behind Sylvester, I can clearly remember him walking around with that big grin, we left Alex and moved to DC where I went to Ballou HS is SE, In the tenth grade I attended a basketball game where we played Bell Vocational HS and to my surprise much taller and older, there he was big Sy Gaines, not only was he on the team he was one of the best in the city and introduced as the Inter high Player Of The Year, I was so proud of him, after the game I waited by their bus to speak to him, he barely remembered me since I was just a young kid when he last saw me but he did remember my older brother William (Bill) Barnes since they were in the same class at St Joseph, if I'm not mistaking Sylvester had a brother or cousin at St Joseph name Calvin, Years later when I was a DC police, I made a traffic stop and again, there he was, I was to busy talking about old times to even remember why I stopped him, I've since retired and moved to Ocala, Fl with my wife but my memories of Alexandria, St Joseph and Sylvester Gaines are forever, God Bless You Sy Gaines.

Posted by Adolphus Barnes - Ocala, FL   October 24, 2019

Condolences to the Gaines Family.Was a band member and High school classmate and friend.Sending prayers for Healing God bless you.

Posted by Barbara Gray ( McCrary) - Washington, DC - Classmate   August 11, 2019

I WAS A TEAMMATE OF SY AT BELL. A GREAT TEAM PLAYER / A GREAT TEAM LEADER / MOST OF ALL A GREAT PERSON . I LEARNED SO MUCH BY WATCHING HIM COMPETE. HE HAD THIS COMPETITIVE NATURE THAT MADE YOU COMPETE . HE NEVER NEVER QUIT/ AND WAS RELENTLESS IN EVERYTHING HE DID. I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM HIM. HE WILL BE TRULY MISSED. Coachdline@gmail.com

Posted by TED ( BIG DADDY ) GILL - FORT MYERS, FL   August 08, 2019

Deepest Sympathy- Prayers and thoughts extended. God's amazing grace will hold you up and bring you through the grief experience.

Posted by Lizzi Williams - Charlotte, NC   August 01, 2019

My deepest condolences to Family of Sylvester Gaines. May God comfort and give you Peace.Rest In. Peace Sy you will never be forgotten.

Posted by Wendy BurtsHenderson - Arlington, VA - friend   August 01, 2019

My deepest sympathy to the family of Sylvester Gaines. May you be comforted in knowing that our Heavenly Father cares for you. He will give you strength and courage to cope with your grief. Psalm 94:17-19

Posted by N. S.    July 31, 2019

Rest in Peace Big Sy

Posted by Odean Horne - Mitchllville, MD   July 31, 2019

May you RlP

Posted by Diane Tate - Vernon, MD   July 31, 2019

I was saddened to hear of Sy's passing.

He worked with us on transportation data collection projects for quite a few years and was always a good-natured, professional and reliable member of the team

Good natured unless the subject was the NFL team which plays its home games in Arlington, Texas (he was a true fan of the Washington Redskins).

Posted by C. Patrick Zilliacus - Silver Spring, MD - Coworker   July 30, 2019

I'm so very sorry to hear about the passing of a wonderful man. Moe, my prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God grant you comfort.

Posted by Angela Taylor - Richmond, VA - Family Friend   July 25, 2019

Rest in peace Sy.
Mo, I send my deepest condolences and pray for your strength. May you and your son be comforted and may all the sweet memories sustain you.

Posted by Cynthia Smith - Atlanta, GA - Friend   July 25, 2019

Sy,

Rest in Peace my brother. Our Lord's word tell us " See to it that no one misses the grace of God" - Hebrews 12:15

Gone but not forgotten
Ron

Posted by Ronald Davis - Oxon Hill, MD - Neighbor   July 25, 2019

I was a team mate of Sy, and I really did appreciate his ALL or Nothing attitude he had when it came to winning. With that said, GO VOCAT !!

Posted by Raphael Wallace - Silver Spring, MD - Friend   July 24, 2019