Mark Alden Sidell died peacefully on October 29th, just hours before his 79th birthday. He was surrounded by family and had visitors from his church in his final hours. Mark was born on October 30th, 1944, in Davenport, Iowa to Margaret Ruth Stevenson and Philip Alden Sidell. After his mother’s death in 1961, Mark’s father married Lucy Elmer Balise who cared for Mark throughout his life. In addition to his mother, he was pre-deceased by his father, his sister Caroline Nijenberg, formerly of Lexington, MA, and his step-sister Ann Sidwell, formerly of Watertown, MN. He is survived by his step-mother, Lucy Townsend of Wellesley, MA, his brother, Richard Sidell of Needham, MA, his step sister, Judith Westerlund of Stockholm, Sweden, his step-brother David Sidell of Bretton Woods, NH and his half-sister, Jennifer Ellis of Wellesley, MA. He was especially fond of his nieces and nephews, Philip Sidell, Kate Morton, Maria Westerlund, Annika Viklund, Erik Westerlund, Libby Cornelssen, Jack Ellis and numerous grand nieces and nephews.
Mark grew up in Galesburg, IL, Pittsford, NY, Chippewa Falls, WI, Wauwatosa WI and West Hartford, CT. Most of his adult years were spent in Hartford, CT, though he always enjoyed returning to the midwest for family reunions and to connect with his many aunts, uncles and cousins. Most recently, he lived in Needham and Newton MA. He was a graduate of Conard High School in West Hartford, CT and New England College in Henneker, NH. He was employed by Sonesta Hotels and the State of CT. He was a member of the Governor’s Footguard of CT where he enjoyed marching in parades and supporting his fellow guardsmen. Mark joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 1970s and was an active member of his congregation in Hartford, CT and later in Weston, MA. He served a full time mission in the church’s Washington, DC Temple.
Mark managed many disabilities throughout his life, but he was known for his cheerful disposition, love of silly puns and his unflappable ability to find the good in everyone. He could also be counted on to know the score of every game ever played by his beloved Boston Red Sox and his habit of wearing a different ball cap depending on the outcome of the most recent game.
A visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Monday, November 6th at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Avenue in Needham, MA. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, November 7th at 10 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, 70 Carlson Avenue Newton, MA. Mark will be laid to rest near his father and mother at Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or Stone Senior Living in Newton.