Obituary of Nicholas Sylvester

Nicholas Ian Sylvester, 21, of Chico, CA died on January 1, 2013, in Portland, Oregon, where he attended Lewis and Clark College. Nick was born in Chico, CA on August 10, 1991 to Carol Stephens Sylvester and Robert Matthew Sylvester. Nick is survived by his parents; his brother, Matthew, serving with the US Navy in Japan; his sister, Megan; grandparents, Charles and Mary Smith, Frank and Marie-Agnes Stephens, and Anna Mae Sylvester, as well as many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. Nick was preceded in death by brother, Thomas; grandfather, Robert Michael Sylvester; and uncle, John Sylvester. Nick attended Neal Dow Elementary, Bidwell Junior High and graduated a valedictorian from Chico High in 2009. Throughout his school years, Nick excelled in both academics and sports. He played Butte United soccer, earned all league honors on the Chico High team, and played lacrosse with the Chico Rebels. During college, Nick spent three summers as an intern working on artificial intelligence computer models designed to play the classical Asian game of Go. He presented and published two papers on his findings. Nick also spent a college semester studying in Budapest, Hungary. He would have graduated in May of this year with a degree in Math and Computer Science. Nick enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, bike riding, playing video games, and shopping forays at Thrift Stores. He was a fun loving, adventurous, easygoing guy. You could always find a smile on his face and a warm hug. Nick left his imprint on many people's lives and will be missed dearly. A celebration of Nick's life will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church. Contributions may be made to the Nick Sylvester Scholarship Fund, in care of the Brusie Funeral Home.