Thomas F. Ford

Thomas F. Ford, 89, of Springfield, died at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at St. John's Hospice surrounded by his loving family. Tom was born in Springfield on December 18, 1926, the eldest son of Paul and Marie (Hines) Ford. He married Mary Margaret Brennan on February 26, 1949 at St. Joseph's Church in Springfield. Tom graduated from Cathedral Boys High School in 1945. He served his country in the United States Navy during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education at the Chicago Conservatory of Music and his Master of Arts degree in Music Education at the University of Illinois. Tom worked for Allis-Chalmers for ten years. After serving during the Korean Conflict, and completing his teaching degree, Tom embarked on a 32-year career of teaching music for local school districts, beginning with Rochester and Petersburg schools and serving more than 25 years in Springfield District 186 schools. Tom served as band director at Lanphier High School for many years. He also gave private music lessons from his home. Music was a major part of Tom's life. He played with the Springfield Municipal Band for 45 years, playing the baritone horn, singing solos for many concerts each season, and serving as music librarian for many decades. Tom co-founded and played with the Capital Area Band for 40 years, encouraging musicians of all ages with a place to continue making music together after formal schooling. Tom was involved in singing, playing organ and directing choirs for much of his adult life, first at St. Joseph's Church, and for many years at Sacred Heart Church. For the past several years, Tom enjoyed singing with accompanist Glenna Holland at Regency Nursing Home on a monthly basis. He was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish at Sacred Heart Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Paul "Butch" Ford. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Margaret (Brennan) Ford; daughters, Karen (Matt) Penning of Springfield and Lisa (Mike) Letorney of Hingham, MA; sons, Tom Ford of Springfield and Kevin Ford of Brookfield, IL; grandsons, Tyler (Rachel) Ford, Christopher (Jennie) Penning, Russell Ford, Conor Ford, Austin Letorney, and Kyle Letorney; granddaughter, Brennah Letorney; great-granddaughter, Maggie Ford; great-grandson, Jude Ford; brother, Don Ford of Springfield; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 24, 2016 at Sacred Heart Church, 730 S. 12th St., Springfield with Rev. James Isaacson, SJC, celebrant. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Katharine Drexel Parish-Sacred Heart Church, 722 S. 12th St., Springfield, IL 62703. The family would like to thank the staff at St. John's Hospice for their exceptional care during Tom's stay. They treated our family like their family.