Jeffrey L. Sylvia, Jr., 24, of New Bedford died unexpectedly on Sunday August 2, 2015.
He was born at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford on January 15, 1991 to Stacey Jones Mendonca. He was happily raised by Stacey and Thomas Saunders, along with his beloved sister Courtney Soares and his brother Noah Saunders. He attended New Bedford Schools his whole life. He enjoyed playing soccer and the Greater New Bedford Little League was a big part of his life from T-ball to Pony League. He enjoyed working on the water, most recently working as a gill netter.
He was a communicant of the former Sacred Heart Church.
Jeffrey had many passions and when he was not spending time with his family or working, he enjoyed camping, vacationing, fishing, writing, riding dirt bikes, and buying the latest release of sneakers and clothing. He was his own trend setter.
Jeffrey had a love for life and his family.
He is survived by his mother, Stacey Jones Mendonca and her husband Luis Mendonca of New Bedford; his Stepdad, Thomas Saunders of New Bedford; his siblings, Courtney and Noah; his grandparents, Roberta Farland Bruce and her husband Michael Bruce of New Bedford, Carol and Gary Sylvia of Acushnet, and Edward Jones of New Bedford; his great-grandparents, Irene Farland of Arizona and Wallace Sylvia of Dartmouth; his uncle, Myles Jones and his wife Ana of New Bedford, his uncle, Damon Jones and his wife April of Dartmouth, and his aunt, Jessica Sylvia of Acushnet. Jeffrey is also survived by numerous cousins. His pride and joy was his niece Violet Soares and was anxiously awaiting the birth of his first nephew. He had an enormous heart and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 9 AM at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Jeffrey L. Sylvia, Jr. Memorial Fund, c/o 51 Brownell Ave., New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.