Robert W. Sylvia, formerly of Oak Bluffs, now of East Falmouth, was inducted into the Telephone Pioneer Hall of Fame in New Orleans, La. in February. The Telephone Pioneers consist of active and retired employees of nation-wide telephone companies. They are the largest industrial-connected volunteer organization in the world. The organization performs many community service projects and contributes to many charities around the world.

Mr. Sylvia became a Pioneer member in 1976, and retired from the New England Telephone Company (now Verizon) in 1988. He has held many positions in the Pilgrim/Thomas Sherwin chapter of the Telephone Pioneers of America, including vice president and president of the Cape Cod council, and vice president and president of the Pilgrim chapter. He has also served as president of the Life Member Club, which is made up of the retired telephone company employees. He has held many other positions, both within the council and the chapter.

He has chaired the Bill Desmond Special Olympics, which is sponsored by the Telphone Pioneers, and also has been active in many other projects, a few of which include the building of a playground for handicapped children at Mayflower Nursing Home in Plymouth, the clearing of markers at veterans gravesites at the National Cemetery in Bourne, and the installation of handicapped-accessible sidewalks at the Nauset Workshop in Hyannis.

Mr. Sylvia has also been involved in the Boy Scouts of America, Cape and Islands Council, for over 50 years. He also is an active volunteer with the Life Line Program through Falmouth Hospital, installing Life Line units for clients for over 18 years.

Mr. Sylvia resides in East Falmouth with his wife of 54 years, Pearl Sylvia. They have five children, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.