Sylvia Joyce King

Sylvia Joyce King – Friend to All-Devoted to Family

Sylvia Joyce (Bokhart) King, of Pulaski, New York, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Mishawaka Indiana on October 2, 1935, Sylvia lived a full and vibrant life defined by service to others, warmth, kindness and deep devotion to her family. Her journey in hospitality began in her early youth working alongside her parents, Morris and Margaret, at their restaurant, the M&M Grill in Colon, Michigan. It was there that Sylvia began honing what would become her lifelong love language: serving others with genuine care and affection. It is also where she would meet who would become her husband.

On June 9, 1950, she married her childhood sweetheart and the love of her life, Arlon Fluett King. Together, Arlon and Sylvia built a home filled with love and laughter as they lived in Vicksburg, Michigan, Shawano, Wisconsin, and Modesto, California, before settling in Pulaski, New York—the community she truly called home.

Her primary calling was motherhood—raising her children and cultivating a loving, supportive home environment for her husband and children.

Once her children were grown, Sylvia poured her creative energy into the business world. She pursued her passion for ceramics by opening her own business, where she crafted original pieces and taught others the art. She later transitioned into local real estate, building a vast network of friends and lasting relationships throughout the community who came to call her “Silver”, a glimmering of brilliance like no other.

Sylvia eventually returned to her roots in hospitality, owning and operating Frick and Frack’s a local 24/7 diner serving the community and local sport fishing industry of the Salmon River for several years before expanding into fine dining. Together with her husband, Arlon, her son, Tim, and their business partner, she opened Memories Fine Dining. For many years, Memories brought the same warmth, hospitality, and welcoming spirit that family and friends had always enjoyed at the "King Ranch" directly to the dining experience.

Following their retirements, Sylvia and Arlon moved south to enjoy the warmer weather, spending ten wonderful years in the New Smyrna Beach, Florida area before returning home to Pulaski to be close to their family and play an active role in raising their grandchildren. Sylvia cherished her family above all else, constantly engaging her children and grandchildren in cooking, baking, and crafts.

Sylvia was predeceased by her beloved husband, Arlon (Jan 2020); her infant son, Michael; and her parents and siblings.

She is survived by her devoted children: Cindy, Tim, Tom, and Jay, along with their spouses; as well as a cherished legacy of loving grandchildren (9) and great-grandchildren (7) and counting.

Sylvia will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Arlon, in a private family burial. A celebration of life will be held in the Pulaski area in the coming months for family and friends to gather and honor her memory.

Perhaps her greatest accomplishment in life was not but choice as she assumed the role of Matriarch of the King Family. The lessons handed down the generations to make the best of what life many challenges, her unwavering devotion to her spouse in good times and in bad, a will to live that defied the odds, a calm voice of wisdom and a kindness that drew even strangers to her circle of friends. She will be missed but leaves behind an indelible imprint on the lives she touched which will carries on.

There will be no services at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, 646 East State Street, Olean. Online condolences can be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com 

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Sylvia’s memory to a local Home Care/Hospice organization of your choice.