Collins A. Kydd, Sr., 103, of New Bedford, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Monday December 18, 2023. Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Lawrence Leopold and Ethel H. (Coblins) Kydd.
Survivors include his daughter, Susan Kydd Ribeiro of New Bedford, MA; two grandchildren, Jonathan Ribeiro of St. Louis, MO, and Nsenga Ribeiro-Anderson and her husband Michael of Venice, FL; four great-grandchildren, Kenneth Rance Pitts of Lithia, FL, Imani Nelson of Marietta, GA, Jaevon George of Riverview, FL, and Mikalah Anderson of Davis, CA; three great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Lawrence Leopold Kydd Jr. of Colorado Springs, CO; and nephews Leon Dash of Urbana, IL, and Alan Dash of Tucson, AZ, Lionel Kydd, John Kydd Jr., and nieces Kelli Kydd and Shaylene Kydd Daniels.
He was preceded in death by his son, Collins Kydd, Jr., sister Ruth Elizabeth Dash, and brother Tasker Mars.
Collins worked at Morse Twist Drill in New Bedford before moving to New York, where he dedicated 25 years of his life to the New York City Water Treatment Facility. During his time there, he completed multiple training programs and obtained various certifications. His dedication and commitment to learning led to his promotion to Stationary Engineer. After retiring, he returned to his hometown of New Bedford, MA.
A proud U.S. Army Veteran, Collins served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as part of the 855th All Negro Engineer (Aviation) Battalion. He was stationed in New Guinea and experienced a harrowing incident when the SS Cape San Juan, the ship he was traveling on, was torpedoed on November 11, 1943, approximately 300 miles south of the Fiji Islands. Despite the initial torpedo hit, resultant fire, drownings, and shark attacks, Collins and others clung to a raft in the oil-filled ocean for over 24 hours until they were rescued by a mine-sweeping ship. For his service, he was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Service Star, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Medal.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Sacred Heart Home in New Bedford for their exceptional care.
In accordance with Collins' wishes, funeral services will be held privately. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.