45°
Born Oct. 31, 1918, in Suffern, he attended Sacred Heart School and Suffern High School.
He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seminary and obtained a master’s degree in social sciences from Fordham University in 1946.
After being ordained March 25, 1944, Ford celebrated his first solemn Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern.
In 1966, he was the youngest priest to be elevated to monsignor. In 1970, he was assigned to St. Anthony’s Church in the Bronx, where he spent 12 years as pastor.
In 1982, Ford returned home to Suffern and the church of his youth as pastor of Sacred Heart Church, where he served until 1990.
In 1990, he was appointed to the Office of Retired Priests, a position he had for many years.
He was predeceased by his parents, James Ford and Mary (Lonergan) Ford; his brothers James, John, William, Thomas and Hugh; and his sister Mary Brown.
Surviving are his sister-in-law, Suzanne Ford; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
There will be a waked for Ford from 2-8 p.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan at 11 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery in Ho-Ho-Kus.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the New York Catholic Foundation, 1011 First Ave., New York, NY 10022, Attn: Egan Pavilion at the St. John Vianney Residence.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Clarkstown and receive free news updates.
