Kidder Memorial Home
FUNERAL HELD: Wesley F. Kidder
DATELINE: Swanton, Vermont
The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, December 24, 2012, at 11
a.m. from The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The principle
celebrant was the pastor, Father Emmanuel I. Ajanma. Other concelebrating priests
were, Father Marcel R. Rainville, SSE Director of Faith Formation for the Society of
Saint Edmund, Father Jean Paul Laplante, Chaplain of Our Lady of the Meadows
and Ave Maria Homes in Richford, Father John Sheridan, OSA a longtime family
friend from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania and Father Brian J.
Cummings SSE, Director of Campus Ministry at Saint Michael's College and
Spiritual Director of Saint Anne's Shrine, Isle La Motte who also delivered the
homily. Eugene LaBombard and Paul Laroche served as Ministers of the Altar.
Music was provided by soloists, Jeanne Begnoche and Gary Moreau accompanied by
organist, Michael Olmstead. The funeral procession was led in and out of the church
by a large guard of honor made up of members of the Fourth Degree Knights of
Columbus, Saint Edmund of Canterbury Assembly 2207, Swanton. Also forming an
honor guard were members of Missisquoi Valley Rescue, Swanton Village Fire and
Police Departments, Highgate Volunteer Fire Department as well as members of the
National and Vermont Funeral Directors Associations.
The White Funeral Pall was draped over Wesley's casket by his daughter, Linda J.
Kidder and his son, Stephen H. Kidder. Wes's wife Elvy Kidder then placed the
crucifix. Readings from scripture were proclaimed by daughter, Linda J. Kidder and
daughter-in-law, Marian C. Kidder. The Offertory Gifts were presented by
granddaughters, Emily and Danielle Kidder and William White and Arthur Goodhue.
Among the many delegations in attendance were representatives from Wes Kidder’s
Rat Pack, the Vermont Senate and House of Representatives, Vermont Attorney
General's Office, Swanton Village and Town Offices, Highgate Town Offices,
Alburgh Village and Town Offices, Alburgh Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue,
North Hero Volunteer Fire Department, Grand Isle Rescue, Swanton Chamber of
Commerce, Saint Albans Rotary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Charles DaPrato Post
778 Swanton, American Legion, Green Mountain Post 1 Saint Albans and CrellerLandon Post 60 Alburgh, The Patriot Guard Riders, Seventy-Six Lodge #14 F&A.M.,
Montpelier Court 151 Royal Order of Jesters, Shore Acres Inn and Restaurant,
Franklin County Home Health Agency, Franklin County Rehab Center,
Northwestern Medical Center, Holiday House, Vermont Center for Cancer
Medicine, Sticks & Stuff, Linda J. Kidder Associates, Waterford, CT, Solutions For
Small Business, LLC, Groton, CT, Total Home Center, The Superstore, Ashley
Furniture Homestore, Knights of Columbus, Notre Dame Council 12289, Durham,
CT, Ella T. Grasso Southeast Technical High School, Groton, CT, Office of Dr.
Debra K, Daren, DDS, East Lyme, CT, Irrigation Services of CT, LLC and Hodge
Podge Lodge both of Durham, CT, Literary Rights International, Inc., NY, NY,
Dominion Resources Inc., Waterford, CT, Vermont Precision Tools, Drummac,
Franklin County Probate Court, The Tyler Place, Small America, Green Mountain
Forest Products, Swanton Village Green Apartments, Missisquoi Valley Union High
School, Mary S. Babcock and Swanton Central Schools, Peoples Trust Company,
89 Grand Avenue, Swanton, Vermont 05488*(802) 868-3331*Fax(802 868-7000
Kidder Memorial Home
Peoples United Bank, Rachel's Styling Studio, Total Yard Care and Snowplowing, J.
Rainville & Sons, Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary/St. Louis
Parish, Sacred Heart Parish in Groton, CT, Swanton Memorial United Methodist
Church, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Swanton Christian Church, Saint Paul's
United Methodist Church, Warren Fournier Home Improvement Center, Rene
Fournier Farm Equipment, United States Postal Service, Bev's Shear Expectations,
Grand Avenue Enterprises, M&T Sand and Gravel, The Allen Agency, Bourdeau
Brothers, Swanton Rexall, Flowers By Debbie, Cost Effective Business Solutions,
Office of Doctor David Stanley DMD, Office of Doctor Michael J. Corrigan MD,
Hannaford Supermarket, The Handy Group, The Paquin Group, Dexter Products,
Cody's Diner, Porter's Bike Shop, Ste. Marie's Market, Swanton Public Library, Saint
Anne's Shrine, Christopher Advertising and the Office of the Chief Medical
Examiner.
The Rite of Committal and Interment followed at the Kidder Family lot in Riverside
Cemetery with Father Rainville assisted by Fathers Ajanma, Sheridan and
Cummings reading the committal prayers. The honorary bearers were, Merrill
Hungerford, Burt Paquin, Bud Paquin, James "Bubby" Irick, Bernard "Sonny"
Giroux, Grove Miller, Morty Achiron and Huibert vanDorp. The active bearers were
grandchildren, John W. and Michael S. Kidder; son-in-law, W. Patrick White;
nephews, Alan John Kidder and John "Jack" Bliss, great nephew, Jason Bliss as well
as Alfred Miller and Richard Cardillo.
Military Honors were accorded to the World War II and Korean Navy Veteran by
members of the Vermont Army National Guard, Funeral Honors Team. The
American Flag was folded by 1st SG Dan Landry and SPC Derrek Murray and
presented to Wes's grand-niece, 2nd Lt. Eileen A. Kidder Kachuck, US Army who
then presented to Wes's grandson, Staff Sgt. John W. Kidder of the VT Army
National Guard who presented the American Flag to his grandmother, Mrs. Elvy
Kidder. Taps were sounded by Bugler, SPC Travis Dube.
Following The Prayers of Committal and Military Honors a reception was held for
family and friends at the My-T-Fine Restaurant hosted by Mrs. Nancy Paquette and
staff with a special Jester Toast offered by Dr. Robert Barker.
A special thank you to Mr. Rett Heald of the Heald Funeral Home for his
professional assistance.
Private on line condolences may be directed to the family by way of:
www.kiddermemorialhome.com.
89 Grand Avenue, Swanton, Vermont 05488*(802) 868-3331*Fax(802 868-7000