Justin B. Sidley, 91 of Derry, NH died Thursday, April 29, 2010 at his home. He was born in Lawrence, MA on February 9, 1919, son of the late John B. and Margaret (McDougal) Sidley. He was a graduate of Lawrence High School, class of 1936. Upon his graduation he worked under his father John at a Lawrence mill and spend his evenings playing saxophone in a local band. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor he went to Honolulu, Hawaii. While there he joined the U.S. Navy. His WWII duties serving on the USS Denebola included missions in the Pacific and the Mediterranean. He received, for services rendered, the WWII victory medal of honor, the European, African and Middle Eastern Area medal with one star and the American Defense WWII Victory Medal. Post war he was appointed to the Lawrence Fire Department in March of 1948, one of the original "48'ers." He retired as a Deputy Chief in October of 1982.
Mr. Sidley was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Peg Jennings and his first wife, Frances. Mr. Sidley is survived by his wife, Priscille, his two daughters from his first wife, Cecelia, wife of Ray Deschambault of Bedford, NH and Frances, "Tiny" Sidley, wife of deceased Stephen Pierog of Andover, MA, his step-children Dick Gedney and his wife Sheila of Rutland, VT, Maureen, wife of Wayne Fiske of Hudson, NH and Laurette Gedney of Union, NH. Grandfather extraordinaire to Georgie and wife Sue, Steven and wife Karyn, Heather and husband Ted, Diane, Michael, Cindy, Stacey and husband Lee, David and wife Neitra, Danny and wife Catrina, Jeff and wife Christy, 14 great grandchildren, three nieces, Patricia, Jane and Pam, and many cousins. He was also a loving step father to Priscille's children, Bob, Gail, Randy and his wife Jennifer Vaillancourt, grandfather to Amanda, Gregory, Danielle, Jimmy and Cooper, and great grandpa to Sophia and Richard.
Calling hours were held on Tuesday, May 4th from 4 - 8pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00am in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry. Burial with military honors was in Forest Hill Cemetery, E. Derry. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fireman's Relief Inn, 92 Tremont St., Lawrence, MA 01841.