G. Sarsfield Ford

Ford, G Sarsfield
The Honorable G. Sarsfield Ford passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 19, 2013. Sarsfield is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara (McGrath), his seven children, their spouses and grandchildren: Patricia and her husband, Michael Money and their children Michael, Billy and Rose of Fairfield, Ann and her husband, Timothy Roach and their children, Conor, Brian and Molly of Fairfield, P. Sarsfield Ford and his son, Avery of Fairfield, Terrence Ford and his wife Christine and their children, Aidan, J.P. and Madeline of Newtown, Jane and her husband, C.R. Shaw and their children, Isabel and Catherine of Newtown, Mary Margaret and her husband Daniel Schiede and their children, Peter and Bobbie Lynn of Massapequa, New York and Daniel Ford and his wife Leslie and their children Betsy, Will, Mary Kate and Jack of Fairfield. Sarsfield is also survived by his brothers, John C. Ford and his wife, Joan of Fairfield and Lawrence D. Ford and his wife, Susan of Olean, New York and many nieces and nephews. Judge Ford, son of the late John C. Ford and Julia Day Ford was born in Bridgeport on September 6, 1933. Growing up in the North End, Judge Ford was a proud graduate of St. Patrick's school. He went on to attend Fairfield College Preparatory School, graduating in 1951. Judge Ford left Bridgeport for South Bend to attend University of Notre Dame graduating in 1955. He received his law degree from Georgetown University in 1958 and was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in February 1959. He joined the law firm of Keogh & Candee in Norwalk in 1959 and later joined the Bridgeport law firm of Clancy and Kenney, becoming a partner in 1965. In 1962, he was also appointed Public Defender for Fairfield County. Sarsfield was nominated as a Superior Court Judge in May 1973 by Governor Thomas J. Meskill. Judge Ford was elected twice by the judges of the Superior Court to be a member of the Judicial Review Council. He became a Senior Judge in 2003. Judge Ford was known as a fair but firm jurist presiding over many serious criminal trials including State of Connecticut v. Ross and State of Connecticut v. Peeler, both death penalty cases. Judge Ford's love of the law was only seconded to his love for his alma mater. He was a member of the Fairfield County Notre Dame Alumni Association and was awarded their Notre Dame Man of Year in 1972. Later in 1997, they again honored him with the Exemplar Award. Judge Ford was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Gaelic American Club of Fairfield, the Garden Club of Fairfield, the Latin Scholars, Fayerweather Yacht Club and the ROMEO's. Always a proud Irish man, Judge Ford was known for his fine story telling and wit. He has shared advice to many a friend and offered counsel to those in need. As his health declined, Judge Ford loved being surrounded by his family and friends. Tirelessly working to overcome his impairment, he showed his true strength of spirit and body until the fight could not be won. The family would like to thank all those who cared for him since he was stricken with a stroke in 2006. Calling hours will be at Spear Miller Funeral Home, South Benson Road Fairfield on Thursday May 23rd from 3 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady of Assumption Church 545 Stratfield Road at 10:30 a.m. in the morning Friday May 24th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John Patrick Flanagan Foundation JPFF P.O.Box 818 Southport, Connecticut 06890. For directions or to leave an online condolence, please go to www. spearmillerfuneralhome.com