Sylvan “Sy” Holzer
HOLZER: Sylvan “Sy” Holzer. It is with profound sadness that we announce that Sylvan Holzer, of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, passed away in his sleep on June 16, 2024, at the age of 75. He was surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren in the days leading up to his passing. Sy was a man of immense selflessness, sarcasm and wisdom, cherishing every moment spent with his family and close friends who came from all walks of life. His passion for giving to others and his unwavering spirit will forever be remembered. He is survived by his wife, Cathy, of 54 years, his brother, Dennis (and his wife Adrienne), his two children — Brian (his wife Lucy), Jodie (her husband Jarrod) — and five grandchildren who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest. Sylvan (“Sy”) was born on Jan. 19, 1949, to Max and Charlotte Holzer in Squirrel Hill, Pennsylvania. After Sy graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in 1966, he received degrees from Duquesne University, the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University and the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business–Management Program for Executives before starting as a management trainee at PNC Bank in 1972. Sy went on to dedicate the next 45 years of his career to PNC bank and the city of Pittsburgh in ways that so few have done. Over his 45-year career, he held executive positions in corporate and retail banking with a scope of responsibility, including financial services relationships with all large government entities, higher education institutions, health care organizations and labor unions throughout Pennsylvania. Sy most recently served as PNC Bank’s regional president in Pittsburgh from 1997 until his retirement in 2017. Sy simply referred to himself as a “Pittsburgher,” dedicating countless hours to the community and nonprofit and charitable causes. He was chairman of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, as well as a member of the board of directors of the UPMC Cancer Centers. He was appointed by Pennsylvania’s governor to serve on the board of trustees of the University of Pittsburgh. He served on the board of visitors for the Katz Graduate School of Business, and Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. He also served as a member of the executive committee on the board of the Children’s Hospital Foundation. Additionally, he served on the boards of directors of the Bethany Board of Trustees, the Pittsburgh Opera, Fred Rogers Foundation and the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, and was chairman of the Pittsburgh Strategic Investment Fund. He was appointed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Judiciary Advisory Council by the chief justice. He received numerous local honors for his community leadership over the years including a doctor of humanities degree from Bethany College and induction into the Taylor Allderdice Hall of Fame in 2013. Services at the Ralph Schugar Funeral Chapel, 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 11 a.m. Visitation one-and-one-half-hour prior to services (9:30 to 11 a.m. ). Interment Mount Lebanon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sy Holzer Endowed Immunotherapy Research Fund at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Please mail to: Development Office, UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Suite 1B, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. schugar.com PJC
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