Tony Sylvester ‘70
Athens - Anthony “Tony” Sylvester, beloved Athens tavern owner, community fixture, and friend to generations of locals and Ohio University alumni, passed away peacefully April 2, 2026 surrounded by loved ones. He was born April 12, 1952, in Columbus, Ohio, to Robert and Barbara Sylvester.
Tony arrived in Athens in 1979 to manage the local Ponderosa restaurant. What began as a job quickly became the start of a life devoted to the Athens community. With a dream of creating a bar he would want to visit himself, Tony opened Tony’s Tavern in 1982 on West State Street. Over the next four decades, the tavern became a cherished gathering place for town residents, students, and alumni alike.
Under Tony’s steady hand and welcoming spirit, Tony’s Tavern became known not just for its drinks, stories, and the famous “Hot Nut” shot, but for something far more important: a sense of belonging. Tony believed a bar should be a place where everyone felt welcome, and he worked tirelessly to create a space built on laughter, friendship, and community.
Those who knew Tony often spoke of his humor, generosity, and ability to make anyone feel like a regular the moment they walked through the door. He took pride in his staff, many of whom spent decades working alongside him, and he valued the relationships formed across the bar just as much as the business itself.
Beyond his sense of humor and jokes, Tony was an avid golfer. He loved the game and the friendships he formed on the course. He also loved to fish and shoot trap.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Keller.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Cheryl; his son, Anthony (Bre); and his beloved grandson, Deckard. He is also survived by his siblings Bob, Theresa Bush (Steve), Vince (Jean), Joe (Maria) and Dan along with brother-in-law, David Keller, nieces, nephews and many extended family members, along with countless friends, employees, and patrons whose lives he touched over the years.
Tony’s legacy lives on in the laughter echoing through Tony’s Tavern, in the friendships forged there, and in the generations of people who will forever remember the place—and the man—who made Athens feel like home. His legacy will be carried on by his son Anthony.