Passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on September 10th. Sykes will be missed dearly by everyone who knew him, including his brother Briggs, his sister-in-law Rosie Williams, his nephews Peter Willams, Paul Williams and David Williams and their families, and his many long-term friends including Phil and Pattie Ainlay, Jenny Joslin, and Heather Bacon. Predeceased by his loving wife Shirley Williams in 2024, his parents, Berkley and Ivy (nee Clarke), and his brother Holmes.

Sykes had an extraordinarily successful 38-year business career at CIBC, starting in his native country of Barbados at the age of 20. He moved to Canada in 1954, continuing his career with CIBC in Montreal, where he quickly ascended the corporate ladder, taking on senior branch managerial roles and senior corporate banking roles. He relocated to Toronto in 1980 as Vice-President Corporate Banking. In 1983, he assumed the role of Vice-President and Manager of the main branch, where he was responsible for the operation of CIBC’s largest branch. In 1985, he was appointed Senior Vice-President of Ontario, with overall responsibility for the bank’s 675 branch network in the province. In 1986, he was promoted to Executive Vice-President of Ontario Region, a position he held until his retirement in 1990.

During his career and especially following his retirement from CIBC, Sykes continued his volunteer work for both business and charitable causes, including major volunteer roles as Chairperson, Business Advisory Council Michael G. DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, Hamilton; Founding Chairperson, Easter Seals Fundraising Advisory Committee; Member, Board of Directors/Executive Committee, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce; Honorary Consul of Barbados, Business Development; Director, Harbourfront Centre in Toronto; Vice-President, Board of Directors and Member, Executive Committee of the Dorothy Ley Hospice in Etobicoke, the latter organization being one that both Sykes and Shirley had a strong passion for, up to Sykes’ last day.

Sykes was also a very proud and extremely active member of his church, St. George’s on-the-Hill Anglican Church, where he was involved in many community and fundraising endeavours.

Funeral services will be held at St. George’s on-the-Hill Anglican Church, 4600 Dundas St. West, Etobicoke, on Saturday September 27, at 11 am, with visitation preceding at 10am. A reception will follow at the Lambton Golf & Country Club, 100 Scarlett Rd, York (Toronto) M6N 4K2.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dorothy Ley Hospice are encouraged.