The Rev. Sylvester Bendzella

He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings: Joseph, Andrew, Stephen, Ann and John.

Sylvester graduated from St. Charles College in 1953, and then graduated from St. Mary’s College Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained into priesthood on May 23, 1959, at St. Francis Chapel in Loretto. Father Sylvester went on to serve God in many parishes located in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese. At age 70, he continued God’s work as a Chaplain in the Johnstown Hospital, then at the Veterans Home in Hollidaysburg, retiring in 2009.

Sylvester was an avid reader, and had an extensive collection of non-fiction books, having read every one. He was also a true outdoorsman and loved to be outside in nature. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and hiking. He knew every creek, field, hill and woods within a large radius of his home in Northern Cambria. At 90 years old, he still enjoyed kayaking on Lake Naomi with his nieces and long adventurous walks. Father Sylvester also enjoyed traveling to visit relatives in Slovakia, where he compiled an extensive genealogy study dating back to the 18th century.

He is survived by his nephews, Sylvester Nicholson and wife, Jean, of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Dennis Nicholson and wife, Mary, of Jackson, N.J.; and nieces, Nannette Nicholson and Andrea Fuller and husband, James, all of Pocono Pines.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, at Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Church, 811 Chestnut Ave., Northern Cambria. Committal to follow at St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Barrett Funeral Home, Northern Cambria.

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