Earland E. Tidswell Sr.
1927 – 2009
RUMFORD — Earland E. Tidswell Sr, 82, formerly of Lincoln Avenue, Rumford, died Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Rumford Community Home, with his family by his side.
He was born in Lewiston, April 2, 1927, the son of William C. and Alice May (Tripp) Tidswell and had attended schools in Turner.
During World War II, he served as a private first class in the U.S. Army with the harbor defenses of New York.
He worked as a truck driver for the town of Mexico for more than 23 years until retirement April 1, 1989, and then worked as a wing man for the town of Rumford.
He was a member of the Rumford-Mexico Horseshoe Club; former member Rumford Falls Aerie 1248, F.O.E.; member LeParesseux Snowshoe Club and a member of Napoleon Ouellette Post 24, American Legion.
He was formerly active with the town of Mexico Fire Call Men. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, playing horse shoes and spending time with his family and family reunions. He enjoyed watching the Red Sox, Patriots and NASCAR. He also enjoyed watching Mountain Valley football and baseball and watching his grandsons play.
Survivors include sons, Earland Tidswell Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth, of Rumford and Michael Tidswell and wife, Donna, of Rumford; daughters, Shirley Gallant and husband, Jamie, of Rumford, Gloria Tidswell of Mexico and Brenda Cushman and husband, Greg, of Mexico; daughter-in-law, Gayle Tidswell of Mexico; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Phyllis Richardson of Turner, Thelma Seamons of Turner, Doris Russell and husband, Lawrence, of Turner and Eleanor Tidswell of West Newton, Mass.
He was predeceased by a son, Robert Tidswell; a daughter, Jackie “Putter” Tidswell; two brothers, Charles and Lawrence; and two sisters, Marion Tucker and Margaret Sampson.