Derek Austin Tidd
Died Aug. 2, 2023 in Townsend, ON Canada. Married for 72 years to the late Beryl Jean Tidd (nee Masters). Survived by daughter Pamela Ann Milroy (Peter), son Adrian Paul (late Sharon), son Steven James (Karen). Predeceased is son Phillip Austin Tidd. Loving Grandfather to Jason Tidd (Tara), Holly Tidd (Charlie Nourang), James Milroy (Lisa), the late Kathleen Milroy, and Sarah Tidd. Proud great Granddad to Austin, Kaitlyn, Oliver, Grace, Abigail, Ethan, Alex, Marcus and Scarlett. Parents late Austin Finch Tidd and late Edith Tidd (nee Vousden). Predeceased are brothers John Tidd (Peggy) and Michael Tidd (Jean). He was uncle to many nieces and nephews and their children.
Derek lived in Ashford Kent England until he emigrated to Toronto ON in 1956. Before that he served in the Royal Navy in WWII as an Air Mechanic first class on a multitude of aircraft carriers mostly serving in the Pacific. Afterwards he served in the 1st Battalion in the Kent Home Guard and worked at The Kentish Express County Newspaper. He also acted in the Ashford Players Guild. In Canada he worked at the Globe and Mail in display advertising and then for MacLean Hunter in their Industrial and Trade Show Division. He then merged his love of sailing with his show success to form The Dexta group which successfully ran The Toronto Spring Boat Show that eventually filled the International Centre to full capacity. In 1976 he successfully produced The Canadian International Air Show and Trade Exhibition in Hamilton.
He was a proud member and past president of the Royal Canadian Naval Association, Niagara Branch, member of the Freemasons and a founding member and Chevalier in the International Knightly Order of Saint George (title K.C.St.G.). He also was promoted to Grand Master and received the title Lord of the Manor of Villiers. He was awarded a Military Commissioned Rank, Second Lieutenant, by Her Majesty the Queen in 1952. He proudly starred in the movie ‘Black Noise’ produced by the Iranian Director Behrouz Afkhami for which he won an award at the Tehran Film Festival. He also spearheaded and ran a fundraiser for Canada One, Canada’s entry in the America Cup Race, raising $70,000. It was the largest luncheon seating 1,400 at the Sheraton Hotel at the time. This event morphed into the Annual Yachtsmen’s Spring Thaw Luncheon that raised money for the Toronto Brigantine. His crowning glory was winning the competition to become the first Town Crier for the City of Niagara Falls in 1996. Heraldry was a hobby and he designed the Coat of Arms for the City of Niagara Falls. In his spare time he was an active athlete competing in three Toronto Marathons as well as many triathlons. He entered the first Masters games in Toronto and placed sixth in the world. Sailing was a passion, and he was elected as the second Commadore of the Pickering Yacht Club and sailed “Whitby” for many years on holidays in the British Virgin Islands.
He was an inspiration to many and will be greatly missed by friends and family. Derek, we agree “you had a good life”.
Many thanks to the staff and nursing staff at Parkview Meadows, Townsend for their outstanding love, care and compassion.
Celebration of Life to be held Thursday Aug. 10 at Christ Church 4750 Zimmerman Ave. Niagara Falls. Visitation at 6 p.m. Service at 7:30. Reception to follow. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Hyde & Mott Chapel, Hagersville. www.rhbanderson.com