Michael Charles Bider, Jr.

Michael Charles Bider Jr., 87, a resident of Lawrence, Massachusetts, passed away on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on June 1, 1924, and was the son of Sarah Bistany Bider and Michael Charles Bider who both migrated from Lebanon in the early 1900's. Michael grew up on Valley Street and through his childhood, worked alongside his father at the family grocery store. After attending grammar school and Lawrence High School, Michael was enrolled at the Boston Conservatory of Music where he studied composition. Michael then went on to receive his certification from Mass Radio and enlist in the United States Navy in 1942. He served our country as a radio man aboard the E V Johnson, a destroyer escort traveling throughout the Mediterranean. After being wounded in the course of duty, Michael promised that if he was lucky enough to return home to Lawrence, he would never leave again. Michael eventually made it back home - and he kept his word. He met the love of his life, Vincenza Tagliaferro Bider, whom he married in 1950. They moved to Tower Hill where they raised their sons, Michael C. Bider III and David A. Bider. Michael's professional career as a supervisor at the Internal Revenue Service in Andover, Massachusetts spanned thirty years, but his passion was his family. Michael adored his wife and sons and lived with a zest for life that is rare. He was a storyteller and entertainer, who could keep any audience delighted and engaged. After retirement in 1979, Michael devoted his time to perfecting his sales pitch at his sons' stores, enjoying every moment he could with Vinnie (whom he called his "guardian angel") enthusiastically tending to their beautiful home and garden, and endlessly amusing his three loving grandchildren, Emily, Anne, and Katherine Bider. Michael was a devout lifetime member of Saint Joseph's Melkite Church where he served on numerous committees and associations. Michael is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Vincenza, son Michael and his wife Joanne of Essex, MA, son David and his wife Sylvia of Andover, MA, grandchildren, Emily, Anne and Katherine, cousin, Thomas Bistany of Methuen, MA and many other family members and friends. Michael was predeceased by his brother James (Jimmy) Bider. One of Michael's favorite quotes from the philosopher Kahlil Gibran's, The Prophet was "For what is it to die, but to stand naked in the wind and to melt in to the sun . . . . And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek god unencumbered . . . when the Earth has claimed our limbs, then we shall truly dance." A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. in St. Joseph Melkite Catholic Church, 241 Hampshire St., Lawrence, MA. Burial will follow in the Bellevue Cemetery also in Lawrence, MA. Family and friends may call on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.