Thomas E. Ford

Thomas Francis Ford of Garnerville died on August 31, 2010 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, after a courageous battle with a year-long illness. Tom is survived by his wife Ellen and daughter Kerry, of Garnerville; a son, Thomas, daughter-in-law, Tamatha and granddaughter, Schuyler, all of Lawsonville, NC. He also leaves behind a brother, Gene, of Fayetteville, GA; a sister Mary Pace, of Washingtonville, NY; two sisters-in-law; 2 brothers-in-law; and 8 nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all. Tom was born in the Bronx in 1943 to Thomas and Jane (Regan) Ford, both now deceased. He was a Vietnam veteran who served with distinction in the United States Marine Corps from 1963-1967. In 1967, a week after returning from Vietnam, he met his future wife, Ellen, at the Expo 67 Fair in Montreal. They married in 1969 while Tom was attending the NYC Police Academy. He served on the NYPD from 1969 to 1992, retiring as a sergeant after many years of dedicated service to the people of New York City. Tom was very proud of both his service in the Marines and his time with the NYPD and he was fiercely proud to be an American. More than anything, however, Tom was an extraordinarily devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, as well as a loyal friend and trustworthy fellow soldier and police officer. He was known in the community for his generosity, fair-mindedness and honesty. Some of his lifelong interests included politics, sports, fishing, world and American history, travel, and reading. He was also a great lover of nature and animals - in addition to his family he will be missed by his 2 rescue dogs, Charlotte and Emily. A wake will be held at Michael Higgins Funeral Home, Rt. 9W, Stony Point from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Friday. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 AM at the same location. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund or to your local veterans' organization.