Obituary of Paul A. Kidder

COLUMBIA - Paul A. Kidder passed away peacefully from this earth, on the morning of March 24, 2023. He was born in the Town of Dixfield, Maine, on November 18, 1946, to parents, Wallace and Evelyn Kidder. After graduating from the University of Maine, Paul served in the United States Navy, from 1969 to 1992 and achieved the rank of Commander before retiring. Upon retirement from the Navy, he worked for the NYS Department of Labor Veterans Affairs, Susquehanna Railroad Company, Clarks Sports Center and Pathfinder Village. Paul and wife Deborah were married on June 6, 1970. Paul is survived by his wife, Deborah Kidder; daughter, Kristen King (husband Clark King); grandsons, Spencer and Garret; son, Kyle Kidder (wife Lindsay); granddaughters, Violet, Everly and Penelope; sister, Wendy Pleeter (husband Dan Pleeter); niece, Megan; brother, James Kidder; and nephew, Dustin. He was predeceased by his son, Michael Kidder (August 1976). In addition to his various employments, both full and part time, Paul was a volunteer for a host of community organizations and clubs over the years, including Mt. Markham Optimists, Town of Columbia Planning Board, Otsego Land Trust Board Member, Utica Camera Club, Fort Schuyler Club, Millers Mills Grange Member, NYS Canal way Water Trail Steward and many others that we’ve probably forgotten along the way. There are not enough pages to begin to list the travels and adventures he embarked upon in his lifetime. While some of these were done alone or with old Navy friends, those cherished most were the Memorial Day hikes with his sister and family, backyard trips with grandkids and world explorations with his beloved “Sam”. Paul was an avid cyclist, hiker, outdoor enthusiast, cider maker, photographer, reader, comedy fan, blues and jazz music lover, donut eater and crossword puzzle solver. Labor of loves included mowing the backyard ball field and church cemetery. Spring was met with a trip to the sap house and preparing the grandkids bikes for summer rides. Lastly, in fitting fashion, we found these remarks in his memorial instructions - “ I would have to say the probability of us dying seems extremely high” - Pythogoras. “Papa” left suddenly but in true form without any fuss. He’ll be missed but our memories will endure. In lieu of flowers, please donate/contribute to the Community Baptist Church of Millers Mills, Cemetery Fund, 647 Millers Mills Road, West Winfield, NY 13491. The family will be having a private ceremony. They’d like to receive family and friends for a “Happy Hour” celebration, at the Matteson Hotel, in Cedarville, on Saturday, April 1, 2023, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Paul’s arrangements have been entrusted to Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors.