James "Jamie" Frederick Kidder, age 51, peacefully returned to the arms of Jesus on November 6, 2025, after a brief illness at Vassar Brothers Hospital, Poughkeepsie, New York. Jamie's final hours were filled with the love of his family, caregivers, and Hudson Valley Hospice staff.

Jamie was born to James (deceased) and Margaret Fino Kidder. He is survived by his dedicated sister, Merlyn Akhtar (John McQuade); nephews, Aldrin Akhtar and Hayden Kidder-McQuade ; aunts, Sue Kidder Powell (Ken) of Miami, Florida and Pauline DeSantis (Phil - deceased) of Yorktown Heights, New York; and numerous cousins and great-cousins. Jamie is predeceased by grandparents Gary and Merlyn Fino of Hudson, New York and Fred and Elizabeth Kidder of Staatsburg New York.

Jamie's life was enriched by the kindness and support of his extended family and community. He was blessed to have multiple generations of helpers from an unprecedented number of families: Clermont, Davis, Dennison, DeSantis, Fiedler, Giongetti, Hanlon, Harrison, Hotaling, Lancaster, Lombari, Lucas, Martin, McMahon, Richardson, Ruxton, Salamanca, Scivolette, Spencer, Stickter, Tomlins, Vladich, and Vuotto. As Jamie's immediate family, we are grateful for their commitment to him and to us. Many of Jamie's past helpers have taken their experiences with him on to careers in Special Education and Healthcare in our community. We extend a special thank you to the Gayhead Elementary School staff of 1978 for their fundraising play for Jamie. That play led to a newspaper article, which then led to Jamie being connected to a local Shriner and Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he received specialty medical care for 17 years.

We are also incredibly thankful to our Local EMTs and First Responders, especially the Red Oaks Mill Fire Company, for always treating Jamie with the utmost care during his emergencies. In his last few years of life, Jamie was cared for at home by Hudson Valley Hospice. Their care of Jamie extended to our family with a Chaplin, Social Worker, music therapy, in addition to the weekly caregivers and supervising staff. There are not enough words to convey our gratitude and appreciation for the love and care they showed Jamie and our family.

Despite his many physical and mental challenges, Jamie had a full, meaningful life. He loved so many things: people, food, celebrations, music, and traveling. He had a hearty appetite and loved all kinds of cuisines - he was very much a "gourmet foodie." He loved any kind of celebration, be it birthday or holiday, especially if it involved lots of decorations, twinkling lights, and cake. When it came to music, he wanted to listen to his favorites all day long. He would sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and "This Old Man" and on rare occasions, "Jingle Bells." The happier Jamie was, the louder he would sing and tap his toes. Jamie was also known for his Fisher-Price hourglass toy, which he held constantly, even up until his last breath. The toys were hard to find, yet somehow, they would show up on our family's doorstep from anonymous sources. We were always grateful to family and friends who helped in the search when our toy supply ran low.

Jamie was also a big traveler. His daily car rides were notorious, and he saw almost every road in Dutchess County. He also visited every state along the East Coast from Maine to Florida. He travelled across the Southern U.S. to Las Vegas, Nevada for a family wedding and then went through the Northern U.S. on the way home to New York, seeing sites like Mount Rushmore and the Corn Palace. Jamie loved to swim and so everywhere we stayed when travelling we made sure there was a pool for him. Jamie loved Saratoga Springs, New York during the racing season; when the horses would come by and everyone around him would start screaming, Jamie would laugh and laugh. He also enjoyed Foxwoods Casino and Turning Stone Casino with all the colorful lights and sounds surrounding him.

Jamie had many significant achievements throughout his life. His education was with Wappingers Central School District (WCSD) via Rehabilitation Programs (now Abilities First) and in 1995, he was the first such student to take part in Roy C. Ketcham High School's regular graduation ceremony. He walked on the stage and received his diploma and a special presidential commendation. Jamie also took part in Hands Across America and the WCSD Blue Ribbon Education Campaign to Albany. Annually, as a child and young adult, he participated in the Dutchess County Special Olympics, with his father and sister as his coaches.

Jamie also had many special, once-in-a lifetime moments. In October 1979, at the age of 5, Jamie was at Shea Stadium to see Pope John Paul II; in the arms of his father, Jamie was carried to the front of the viewing line, where the security agents parted to make a path for his father to get to the Pope - Jamie was one of the few people to be touched by the Pope that day. With the support of our local Catholic church, Jamie was able to make his First Communion and Confirmation with his peers. Jamie even got to meet the Harlem Wizards once during a local charity event -all the players surrounded him and gave him a team ball they had signed.

Jamie's final care was handled by McHoul Funeral Home in Hopewell Junction, New York. The McHoul family has been supportive of us for many years. We are blessed to have them in our community serving grieving families with quiet kindness and support. A memorial celebration of Jamie's life will be held at the convenience of our family. For those wishing to honor Jamie's memory, we ask you to pay forward a kindness to someone. God is good and the sun will come out tomorrow.