Published March 15, 2019
MELROSE — John Ford, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital on March 6, 2019.
Born in Malden, the only child of John and Catherine (Ebert) Ford, John graduated from Everett High School. It was at a dance at Immaculate Conception Church in Everett where he met Ruth Herlihy, his wife of 61 years. Ruth passed away 2 months prior to John, but their commitment to one another was so evident during their long marriage. Together they enjoyed their family, traveling the world, and their peaceful place in Gilford, New Hampshire.
All who knew John would say his greatest gift was that of being a parent. He was a loving father, patient listener, and constant councilor to Joan Ford Mongeau and her husband Peter, Teresa Ford Anastasi and her husband Peter, Stephen Ford, Tom Ford, and Mary Ford Glickman and her husband Randy. John was actively engaged with all his grandchildren, playing with them, advising them, teaching them and spoiling them. William, Benjamin, Timothy and Julia Mongeau, Kathryn, Emily and Hannah Anastasi, Matthew and Nicholas Ford, and Sophie Glickman all benefited from the wit and wisdom of their Grampa.
Not only a great father and grandfather, John was an entrepreneur, starting his own business, Intercontinental Airfreight. For his work, he not only traveled the world, but he made friends world-wide. The dinner table at the family home often hosted guests from Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and England. To our mother’s credit, she never flinched when he said he was bringing home a guest from another country to dinner.
While he traveled extensively, he also focused a lot of time on his local community. He was the President of Melrose Kiwanis and an active participant in their largest fund raiser, Jail Day. John served on the Melrose Traffic Commission, giving back to a city that had given him so much. And, he was a member of a very loosely organized group of friends who gathered daily at local coffee shops to discuss everything from the Red Sox to politics. He was a wonderful storyteller and had a sense of humor that would leave a smile on the faces of all who met with him. John was an active and engaged person no matter where he was—from South Africa to South Boston, people knew and loved him.
John was the beloved husband of the late Ruth E. (Herlihy) Ford. Devoted father of Joan Ford Mongeau and her husband Peter, Teresa Ford Anastasi and her husband Peter, Stephen F. Ford, Thomas Ford all of Melrose, and Mary Ford Glickman and her husband Randy of Woodbury, Conn. Beloved grandfather of William, Benjamin, Timothy and Julia Mongeau, Kathryn, Emily and Hannah Anastasi, Nicholas and Matthew Ford and Sophie Glickman. Also many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose, on Monday, March 11. Funeral Procession from Gately Funeral Home on Tuesday morning March 12, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Incarnation Church, 425 Upham St., Melrose. Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend. Burial at Calvary Cemetery in Wilton, N.H. was private. Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to Incarnation Church, 429 Upham St. Melrose, MA 02176. To send a message of condolence please visit gatelyfh.com
