SOUTH NEW BERLIN – Paul Bida, 81, of South New Berlin, passed away on Sept. 23, 2006, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Oneonta.
He was born in Hawkins, Wisc. on April 3, 1925, the son of Sam Bida and Kateryna Kancir Bida. He was a graduate of the Class of 1942 from South New Berlin Central School and then attended Ohio State University.
Paul was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army. He was awarded the World War II Medal for Victory.
After World War II, he farmed in partnership with his brother, Frank, on the family farm on Bida Road in South New Berlin. In 1949, he ranched mink and pioneered in the development of world-class mutation mink, an operation that continued until his retirement in 1990. During the same period, he and his brothers, Frank and John, raised and trained standard-bred harness race horses, racing at various tracks in upstate New York.
Paul served for many years as Vice President of the Chenango County Fair Association. He was a member of the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce, the Norwich Lodge of Elks B.P.O.E. No. 1222., the Harness Horse Association of Central New York, the United States Trotting Association, the American Legend Mink Association, and the Harold McIntyre American Legion Post #1289 of South New Berlin.
Paul enjoyed country life on his family farm, sharing his good nature, wit, and wisdom with neighbors, family, and friends. He was a person with great integrity and was respected and admired by those who knew him. He was very independent until his recent illness and was no stranger to good, old-fashioned hard work. Just a month ago, he was atop a tractor mowing the fields, cutting wood, caring for his animals, repairing equipment, and operating the bulldozer around his property. Never far away was his much-loved and constant companion, his Black Lab, Mac. Paul’s car was a familiar and welcome sight as he drove around the back roads near Chenango Lake, checking on the animals, both domestic and wild, and stopping now and then to talk things over with his neighbors. Paul kept a watchful eye and did his best to be sure all was safe on and around the Bida Road. He loved to hunt, trap, and fish and enjoyed sharing these things with generations of family and close friends.
He is survived by three brothers and a sister-in-law, John and Elma Bida of Chenango Lake, Sam Bida of Ely, Nev., and Pete Bida of Berkley, Mich. Also surviving are seven nephews and four nieces and their families, William J. Lyons, Jr. of South New Berlin, Jackie Best of Binghamton, Mary Kim Bida Piccinini and Sam Bida, Jr. of Ely, Nev., Peter Bida of Grandville, Mich., Gary Bida of Rochester Hills, Mich., Patricia Bida of Hazel Park, Mich., Kathy Terhlen of Lapeer, Mi., Paul DeForest of Gilbertsville, LaVerne Deforest of Mt. Upton, and Bruce DeForest of Millsboro, Del. His long-time friend, Ronald Vidler, also survives.
He was predeceased by four sisters and their husbands, Eve and LaVerne DeForest of Sidney, Katherine and George Cole of Binghamton, Stella and William Lyons of South New Berlin, and Mary Bida of South New Berlin. He was also predeceased by his brother, Frank, of South New Berlin; his sisters-in-law, Neva Bida of Ely, Nev., Grace Bida of Berkley, Mich. and his nephew, Christopher Lyons of South New Berlin.
Calling hours will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home, Norwich, on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial service with full military honors will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel at St. Paul’s Cemetery, Norwich.
Memorial contributions in Paul’s memory may be made to the Christopher David Lyons Scholarship Fund in care of William J. Lyons, Jr., 293 Bida Road, South New Berlins, NY 13843.