Joe Sidor passed away peacefully at his Touchmark residence on November 4th with his son and daughter by his side during his final days.
Joe was born in Great Falls on March 27th, 1928 to Joseph and Eva Sidor. After several moves in his early years, the family settled in Butte where he graduated from Butte High in 1946.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in 1946 and, after basic training, was 1 of 2 in his class of 60 to be selected for specialized training in Illinois. He ended his two year enlistment in California as a crew chief on the Corsair airplanes of the famous Black Sheep fighter squadron.
Like a page from a Hollywood script of that era, he fell in love with a young woman that he met at a local ice cream parlor. He began his courtship in an old 1936 Ford clunker that he’d bought on his return from the service. It broke down regularly and, too often, it happened as it was sitting in front of Pat’s parents house. He’d end up walking home and Pat was left to worry about her reputation in the neighborhood. Pat and Joe were married in 1949 and were rarely apart over their next 66 years together.
With little money and a dilapidated old house, they began the long and arduous effort of creating the family home and building a comfortable life wherein their children could thrive.
He and Pat joined St Peter’s Episcopal Church where, over the years, he volunteered for virtually every lay position in the church, including being the superintendent of the church school for 12 years. The set of friends met through the church became their lifelong and closest friends.
His working career began at B.F. Goodrich and Earl Tucker Distributing and ended when he retired after 29 years at I.B.M. Corporation where he was part of the team that managed the company’s largest accounts. After his retirement, he volunteered as a mentor at Central School for 18 years.
Joe loved the enthusiasm of young children and, being a kid at heart, easily joined them in their play whether it was the 20 year age gap of his own children or the 80 year age gap with his great grandchildren. The neighborhood children always enjoyed a visit to the family home at Halloween to see what costume he was wearing and what spooky decorations he had put up that year.
He enjoyed the peace and quiet of fly-fishing on the Little Blackfoot; chasing pheasants and his golden lab under the big skies of the Fairfield bench; a round of golf with friends at the Green Meadow Country Club, and traveling the world with family and friends.
Joe grew up in a family with no money and no car and from this modest beginning came a very modest man. And yet this man, to whom so little had been given in his own early life, gave completely and selflessly of himself his entire adult life. He was devoted to his wife and family and never missed an opportunity to support or spend time with them. It was his fate to begin most of his life’s endeavors from square one; but he always faced that reality head-on and without complaint, and was successful because he was willing to put in whatever work was required to be successful.
At our passing, when the entirety of our lives is distilled down in the parting thoughts of those who loved us and those who only knew us; all would agree that he was a good man. A simple description, yet profound in its many meanings; and ultimately, one of the highest accolades we can be given by those who knew us.
Joe is survived by his son Dan, daughter Nancy (Jim) Mayer, grandchildren Scott Mayer of Portland, Oregon and Katie (Jake) Conver of Billings, great grandsons Caleb and Eli Conver, and his brother Roy of Santa Maria, California. He was preceded in death by his mother and wife.
A church service will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral, 511 N. Park Ave., on Friday, November 15th at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow in the church parish hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to be made in Joe’s name to the Helena Food Share – Kid Pack program at P.O. Box 943, Helena, 59624-0943 or to the charity of your choice.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Joe.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday November 15, 2019
St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral
511 N Park Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Friday November 15, 2019
St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral
511 N Park Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
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Tom Naegele says
Dan & Nancy,
Sorry to see that Joe passed away 😢. Joe was one of my mentoring Father’s in my life. Baseball, golf and Family times with the Sidor’s are precious to me ❤️ He was a Gentleman of the highest degree. I will miss him as I do your Mom. Loving & Supportive Prayers 🙏 to you both.
Tommy
Lori Moore says
Dan, Nancy and family, this news breaks my heart. So many loved your dad so much: if only we could each take a bit of your grief. Joe’s kind heart and cheerful spirit never failed to bring a smile. Your dad and mom are timeless treasures.
God bless,
Lori Gibson Moore
Dick Trerise says
Dan and Nancy,
I have so many great memories of your mom and dad. The socialized with my folks a great deal and I saw them often. I spent hours and hours golfing with Joe. His great attitude and sense of humor were delightful. Great people! Good memories! May God Bless you and yours during this time of transition.
Dick Trerise
Rebecca Foster says
My folks and yours were great friends back in the day. I remember both your parents as kind, funny, and loving. Hope Joe and Pat, and Joe and Jerry are hanging out, having fun together again. Blessings to you and your family. And many happy memories.
Sarah Elkins says
Dan & Nancy,
The neighborhood is forever changed without your parents here. I have wonderful memories of both of them at our family events and parties, especially when Joe would show up for our annual Halloween dinner and birthday party with his big clown wig and funny glasses. They were always great comfort to us when our boys were little, like surrogate grandparents because ours live so far away. They kept their eyes out for our boys, making sure we knew what they were up to when they roamed the neighborhood like feral children.
You are in our hearts as you navigate this next part of your own life adventures, please know your parents leave deep, loving legacies in our family.
Sally Russell says
Dan and Nancy (Jim) and family
So sorry to hear about your Dad. Keep those wonderful family memories close to your heart. My thought and prayers are with all of you, now, and in the days ahead. God Bless. Love you guys.
Karen Crogan says
I have fond memories of Joe from the years I worked at Green Meadow CC. He was one of the ‘old’ guys who played early on Wednesdays; they were a group of characters and Joe was one of my favorites. I hope memories will bring comfort, Dan and Nancy.
Dave Van Nice says
Thinking of the Sidor family today. Joe was one of the great ones and he will be missed by all. Joe and Pat were an integral part of the neighborhood growing up and I always enjoyed their approach to life. Here’s hoping Pat had a warm pasty waiting for him at Heaven’s door.
Allen Stenhjem Family says
May God Bless Joe .Wonderful Gentleman and special part of the 4-some ……………..
Chuck Johnson says
I grew up in the Helena neighborhood where Joe and Pat lived. What a great couple they were. They were always friendly and kind to everyone. They raised fine kids in Dan and Nancy. Joe kept a watch over the Hawthorne School playground across the street from their home. They were the kind of people who made a neighborhood great. It was hard to imagine Joe without Pat after she died. Now they are together again.
Chuck Johnson says
I grew up in the Helena neighborhood where Joe and Pat lived. What a great couple they were. They were always friendly and kind to everyone. They raised two fine kids in Dan and Nancy. Joe kept a watch over the Hawthorne School playground across the street from their home. They were the kind of people who made a neighborhood great. It was hard to imagine Joe without Pat after she died. Now they are together again.
Susan Doran says
Dan, Nancy and Family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your wonderful dad. What a beautiful obituary and tribute to your dad you did, and what a great legacy he leaves behind to his family and grandchildren. I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Know your mother and dad are so proud of you and are now together watching over and protecting their family below. Wishing you peace and comfort in the hard days ahead… God Bless.❤️🙏😔
Martha MacDonald says
Nancy & Jim: I’m sending my wishes & thoughts to your family.
Mary jo Wells says
Nancy and Jim. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You were so lucky to have your Dad for all those years. Grab on to all the great memories during this difficult time , it helps ease the pain. Thinking of you
Kathy Seacat says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate your Dad’s wonderful life. How amazing that he touched so many and had many years with Scottie and Katie, Caleb and Eli. Truly his life was full of blessings and your memories will help comfort you until you meet again.
Love you!
Ruth Jones says
Pat & Joe were one of my favorite friends Pat was secretary Joe was super and I was the Sunday school teacher, at church &we went to more than one Harvest Ball They were also the ones who had cocktail Parties & took us out to dinner on our 60 wedding anniversary Their love for each other was a wonderful thing to behold I will always thank God in my prayers for both of them When we were in Couples club together I will always remember the wonderfull times.I am really sure there is a very special place for both of them together in HEAVEN and I will always treasure our friendship. there just are not enough good words to say about both of them so with every good word you can think of I will close Nancy you and Dan give each other a great big hug for me.
Joanie Werner Mathis says
Dear Dan and Nancy,
I was sorry to see the death of your dad. What a beautiful legacy your parents have given your family. Our relationship goes back years from Coney Island to Mountain West Bank. What joy they brought to some many. A great example to many of us. Always hard to lose our parents, no matter what our age. Blessings,
Joanie Werner Mathis
Diane says
Nancy and Dan,
I am sorry to learn your Dad passed away. He was such a great person. I remember when he and my Dad were in charge of the Sunday school at church. That was so many years ago, but I never will forget his kindness and wonderful smile. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
With deepest sympathy
Diane Richter Pedersen
Jennifer Lawson says
Dan and Nancy,
So very sorry for your loss. We’ve enjoyed getting to know your folks over the past decade as neighbors. They were wonderful people. Seeing your dad’s car out in front of his house since he’s been at Touchmark has been a comfort to us, it’s like he’s still been home. I always smile in the spring, seeing the flowers bloom that they planted in their yard. I know how deeply your mom and dad were loved and how much they loved each other. I’m sure you’ve found comfort that they’re together again.
Much love to you both at this difficult time.
The Renks says
The world and neighborhood was a better place with your folks in it. So sorry for your families loss. They were wonderful people with their stories they would share of their home and travels, their love for the kids in our neighborhood, and the bags of tennis balls they would gift back after they were thrown in their yard by accident. 🙃
They are truly missed, but so happy for them that they are together again sharing their love for one another that was so evident!
Thinking of you all at this challenging time.
Rex, Angela, Natlaie, Mitchell, and Tilly the dog Renk
Peter Hamper says
I worked with Joe at IBM. He was such a great positive man. Always willing to lend a helping hand. I recall his deep faith and love of family.
A live well lived.
Pete Hamper