John P. "Jack" Ford, Jr.,F.A.A.M.A, 71, of New Bedford died Saturday October 29, 2011 at St. Luke's Hospital. He was the husband of Patricia E. (Guzaj) Ford.
Born in Hoboken, NJ, the son of the late John P. and Agnes (Schmidt) Ford, he lived in Bergenfield, NJ with his parents and brother before entering the service. He had lived in New Bedford since 1980.
Mr. Ford was a graduate of St. Peter's Preparatory High School and St. Peter's College in New Jersey where he received a Bachelor's degree in Economics. He later obtained a Master's degree in Business Administration from Western New England University. Jack was most proud of his Fellowship in the American Academy of Medical Adminstrators.
He was an active parishioner of St. Julie Billiart Church. He was awarded the Marian Medal by the Diocese of Fall River for service to his parish.
Mr. Ford served in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps for 17 years and then in the Army Reserves until his retirement as Lt. Colonel. He was awarded numerous medals and commendations including the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam. After his retirement, he was the Director of Facilities for the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, where he recently was recognized with a twenty year excellence award.
While in the Army, he was a baseball and football official and continued with these duties in Wareham and Dartmouth until last year. He was a former swimming official at the YWCA, former soccer official for the Dartmouth Youth Soccer Association and the Bristol County Youth Soccer Association, and an official timer for the Whaling City Row Boat races. He was an avid stamp collector and reader. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Hyannis.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, John P. Ford III and his wife Tracey of Brewerton, NY and Timothy M. Ford and his wife Victoria of Taunton; two grandsons, Avery John Ford and Shane Devlin Ford; a soon-to-be-born grandson, Connor Jack Ford; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was the brother of the late Joseph F. Ford of New Jersey.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 11 AM at St. Julie Billiart Church. Burial with military honors will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 5-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, 874 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.