Edward Sidote

Edward J. Sidote, passed away Thursday, April 9th, 2015 in Chenango Memorial Hospital at the age of 97-1/2 after a brief illness.

Ed was born September 13th, 1917 in Norwich to Catheryn Testa and James Sidote. He graduated from Norwich Senior High School in 1935 with a Regents Diploma and then worked at the Norwich Borden Creamery. Later he studied accounting at Broome Community College.

After Pearl Harbor in 1942, he enlisted in the Army where he worked at inscription centers. In 1946 he was honorably discharged at the rank of Master Sergeant. After the war, he served as a Scout Master for the St. Bartholomew’s Church Boy Scout Troop. For a time he worked at the Norwich Pharmaceutical Company as an accountant. He then started several businesses, owning his own income tax business and a laundromat, before working for the Office of the Aging. His camp at Chenango Lake was the refuge of his extended family. In 1985, Ed visited Italy to re-connect with his father’s family.

His hobbies included hiking and photography. Later in life, he expanded his love of hiking and became the 3rd person to walk the Finger Lakes Trail from end to end. His picture appears on the Finger Lakes Trail website. Until advanced age, he led hikers and served as a coordinator of the activities of this organization.

Ed was a go-getter. He had huge capacity for awe and joy. Wherever he went he exuded an intense but very innocent charisma. He is survived by innumerable cousins and friends.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday the April 15th at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Norwich. There will be no calling hours. Burial will take place at a later date in St. Paul’s Cemetery.

Donations to honor Ed can be sent to the Finger Lakes Trail, 6111 Visitor Center Rd., Mt. Morris, NY 14510 or the Capital Campaign Fund of St. Bartholomew’s Church, 81 East Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.