RUSSELL ELLIS TIDD

RUSSELL ELLIS TIDD PORTLAND, TX - Russell Ellis Tidd began his Eternal Patrol on Sept. 20, 2010. He was born in Hodgdon, ME on Oct. 1, 1923. His parents were Clifton E. Tidd and Gwendolyn (Doris) Tidd. He graduated from Hope High School in Providence, R.I. in 1941. His early years were spent between Providence and the Panama Canal Zone, where he lived with Rear Admiral James and Dorothy Blanchard (aunt and uncle). Following graduation, he proudly enlisted in the United States Navy on June 12, 1942 in Providence, R.I. His service in the Navy included six submarines and one of a crew that brought a captured German submarine back to New London, Conn. He was awarded seven medals for his service and honorably discharged on Dec. 8, 1946 with the rank of Torpedoman's Mate 2nd Class. He married Elizabeth (Southwick) Robinson on Jan. 14, 1947 in Providence, R.I. They moved to Texas where he continued his service to his country with the USPS. He transferred to Immigration and Naturalization Service as a patrol inspector in June 1952, stationed at Edinburgh, TX. He served in many stations on both borders. He was among Federal troops ordered by President Kennedy to Mississippi to enforce the court ordered integration of the University of Mississippi and received letters of commendation from both John and Robert Kennedy. He retired as Criminal Investigator in St. Albans in 1978 with more than 34 years in service to his country. After retirement from INS, he and Betty enjoyed traveling with their dogs in their motor homes, visiting friends and family across the states. During his "retirement," he also enjoyed working part-time as a school bus driver for Don Bell, Inc., and as a temp worker at IBM, Burlington. Russell was a very proud Life Member of the Green Mountain Base of US Submarine Veterans of WWII, FORBPO, VFW Post 758, Master Mason Grand Lodge, Littlefield, TX, Shriner, Cairo Temple, Rutland, Lifetime Charter Member of WWII Memorial Society, American Legion Post 100, Life Member of NRA, lifelong Episcopalian, and a regular contributor to the Humane Society. Betty and Russell sold their home with nearly 30 years of happy memories and dear friends nearby in Swanton to re-settle in Portland, TX in June 2005 to be near their daughter and favorite sonin-law. Russell leaves behind Elizabeth, his beloved wife of 63 years. He left a poem for her to remind her he will be as close as a whisper in her heart. She will continue to reside at Carriage Inn, 401 Northshore, #113, Portland, TX. He also leaves four children, Stephen (Lisa) Tidd of Coats, N.C., Virginia (Earl) Boudreau of Portland, TX, Constance Tidd of Portland, ME, and Judith (Jon) Dullnig of Austin, TX; and five grandchildren, Thomas Stephen Tidd and Luke Ellis Tidd (born June 19, 2010) of Coats, N.C., Eric Russell Boudreau of Houston,TX, Hadley (Ed) Siler of Ft. Hood, TX, and Austin Dullnig of San Antonio, TX. According to his wishes, his remains will be placed at Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph. The family would like to thank Dr. Lee Sang and staff as well as Lighthouse Hospice for their care. A special thank you to "his" nurse, Kathleen Flanagan RN, CHPN, and Ida Salinas for their exceptional care and love. In lieu of flowers, Russell would appreciate donations in his memory to any Veterans' organization, the United States Humane Society or the Swanton Public Library.