Alden Bidwell Tyrol

SALISBURY — Alden Bidwell Tyrol, 86, of Sunrise Ridge Lane died March 26, 2011, at Sharon Hospital, following an illness. He was the husband of Ruth (Turner) Tyrol. Alden was born May 29, 1924, in Glastonbury, Conn., son of the late Frances Olive (Bidwell) and Edward Howard Tyrol. Alden was the commissioned Minister of Outdoor Ministries at the Silver Lake Conference Center, Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC), for 31 years. He was a member of the South Glastonbury Congregational UCC, a member of the Sharon Congregational UCC and a member of the Salisbury Congregational Church UCC. He was a lifetime member of the American Camping Association; past president of the Connecticut Camping Association; property manager for the Connecticut Conference UCC; former corporate member of the Board for Homeland Ministries United Church of Christ; and member of the Church and Ministry Committee Connecticut Conference UCC. He was also former director of the New Samaritan Corporation; former senior deacon trustee and youth advisor for the Sharon Congregational Church UCC; deacon and lifetime deacon of the Salisbury Congregational Church UCC; and member of the original task force for National UCC Camps and Conference Centers, National Association Committee of Outdoor Ministries UCC. Alden was a veteran of World War II who served as a flight engineer in the Army Air Corps, where he earned the rank of tech sergeant. Alden was a member of American Legion Post No. 56 in Glastonbury and American Legion Post No. 70 in Salisbury. He also was a member of Company 2 Fire Department, South Glastonbury, and was a member of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists. In addition to his wife, Alden is survived by his son, Donald H. Tyrol and his wife, Marcia R. Tyrol, of Maine; a granddaughter, Anne Tyrol Lesperance and her husband, Derek, of New Hampshire; a grandson, David H. Tyrol and his fiancée, Natalie Patenaude, of Maine; his sister, Joyce T. Ottone of Florida; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Edward and Graham Tyrol; and his sisters, Jean Thornton and Marie Warren.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 2, at 2 p.m. in the Salisbury Congregational Church. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be sent to either the Silver Lake Conference Center, 223 Low Road, Sharon, CT 06069 or to the Salisbury Congregational Church, 30 Main St., PO Box 392, Salisbury, CT 06068. Arrangements are under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home in North Canaan.