Sylvia Train, the Toronto Sun Family's former queen of the social circle set for three decades, has died.
Sylvia's age remains a mystery, but her skills in getting the who's who of the entertainment and social crowd to talk on record for her Sun columns are well-known.
She died Thursday at Wellesley Central Place in Toronto, almost 20 years to the day she said farewell to 333 and her readers. Sylvia, who had Alzheimer's, had resided at Wellesley Central Place for 9 1/2 years.
Jim Slotek's heart-felt farewell in the Sun: http://www.torontosun.com/2013/12/14/sylvia-train-toronto-sun-celebrity-columnist-a-fast-moving-institution
Fellow colleagues from the day remember the human dynamo as someone who charmed everyone on the A lists and in the Sun newsroom.
A fitting home base for Sylvia during her Sun years was a condo in one of the new buildings on Lake Ontario down by the Humber River.
Memories of the former ballet teacher, theatre producer, talent agent, restaurateur and widely-read Toronto Sun columnist can be sent to thecos@the-wire.com.
Ron Base, former Toronto Sun entertainent writer
"Sylvia was the delightful wallflower at the orgy. A great and loyal friend, we worked at the Sun together, attended New York openings together, tried to launch a Hollywood game to rival Trivial Pursuit together, laughed together and occasionally held each other up when the going got rough.
"She helped to repair a marriage (at least for a time) and when she dated Leafs owner Harold Ballard, she made sure my wife and I got the best seats at concerts at the Gardens.
"She had style, wit and flare. When Sylvia entered the room, you knew things were going to liven up. The room is much darker today.
"Loved you old friend ..."
Hugh Wesley, former Toronto Sun photo chief (FB)
"Just found out Sylvia Train has passed from this earthly venue. She was quite a down to earth woman and so well-connected to the hurly burly wacky entertainment biz in Toronto (See George Anthony fb)
"Whenever you had an assignment with her and celebs, if you were smart, all you had to do was hang on to her coat tails. So little in stature and with so many stories. I think she was Harold Ballard's squeeze before Yolanda.
"And speaking of Harold Ballard ... Rob Ford."
Les Pyette:
"So sorry to hear about Sylvia, a grand old gal who certainly contributed a lot to the success of the Toronto Sun. We shared many a lunch/dinner in the 70s. She taught me proper manners and opened many important doors for a struggling young city editor."
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