Born in Bideford, England, in 1921, his family migrated here in 1924. His parents, four brothers and two sisters lived through some hard times in the days of the depression, settling in Falconer. They ate what food they could grow and get from a few farm animals. There were none of the “luxuries” we have today such as electricity or indoor plumbing.

Despite the hardships of the living conditions, Giddy mainly remembers his childhood as a happy one.

As there were no labor laws back then, all the children started working at a young age. His first job was working as a farm hand for 50 cents a day and a sandwich. While in high school, he got a job at the Shell gas station in Falconer. He would open at 6 a.m. and work until it was time to start the school day. Then he would go back and work again from 6-10 p.m. With this job he was able to help his family and buy his first car, a 1931 Studebaker.

Graduating in 1940 from Falconer High School, he worked a short time at Ellison Bronze. In 1942, Pearl Harbor was bombed, and he and his two brothers were drafted. Because he was able to type, he was assigned to Lowery Field in the 8th Air Corp as a clerk typist. He was promoted to corporal and assigned to directing all incoming troops to barracks and schools.

Giddy requested a spot in the cadet program to learn to fly the P51. His request was granted, but he was sent to learn radio transmission first. He mastered several codes, and could take apart and reassemble a radio. Just when he was to go to pilot school, the war ended and the classes were canceled.

After the war he decided to go to chiropractic college on the GI Bill. His books were paid for and he was given $66 a month to live on. While in college he worked at John Deere factory for extra money to live on. While in college he met his wife, Josephine Turpin from Newfoundland, a surgical nurse at general hospital in Jamestown. After he graduated, they married and settled in Falconer.

When Giddy graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1950, chiropractic was not recognized by many in the medical profession. He was a leader in Western New York, and in helping people realize the value of chiropractic as a legitimate profession. In 1951, he joined his brother-in-law, Myron Baker, to practice in a small office on Main Street in Falconer. They were together 13 years, until he built his clinic across from the Falconer High School in 1963. That year he was featured in a short movie on chiropractic. During that time, Josephine and he raised five daughters.

Sadly, his wife died of cancer at the age of 64. Five years later he started a new chapter of his life when he met Juanita Mauro. She and her six children were added to his family in 1992. He loved his profession and practiced until he reached the age of 75.

He has been active in the Jamestown Shriners and is a Mason. Saddened by his second wife’s passing in 2018 and the loss of his daughter LuAnn in 2019, he has spent his time enjoying family and traveling yearly to spend time with a daughter in Florida.

With five daughters,10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and six step-children, Giddy is living a full life, and states that the secret to a long life is to be totally honest in all your dealings, never stop learning, whatever you do give it your all, never hold grudges, be respectful, walk daily, and take vitamins.

Giddy is well known and respected by many, and you will never meet a more admirable man.