Brian Ford

Ford, Brian J.
On January 27, 2014, Brian J. Ford passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Son of the late William and Barbara Ford of Garden City, NY, he was born June 1, 1934, and spent his youth summering in Birch Groves on Candlewood Lake in New Milford, CT. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1954 and was an avid swimmer and member of his high school and college swim teams. After marrying the girl next door and starting their family, they moved full-time to New Milford in 1972. Brian was an Air Force ROTC cadet at Manhattan College where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduating in 1958 he was employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and then was called to duty in 1959 to serve as a base engineer at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He later served at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, AK and was reassigned to Eareckson Air Station on the island of Shemya, AK in the Aleutian Islands. Capt. Ford was offered a commission by President John F. Kennedy, but decided to return to his civilian post at the FAA. In 1964, he became the Manager of Design and Construction for Trans World Airlines. He was responsible for projects that ranged from the design of TWA's ambassador clubs and the corporation's Kansas City administrative headquarters to hangers for jumbo jets and a campus for flight attendants. Brian was also instrumental in the design and construction of the famous TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport. He was promoted to Director of Properties and Facilities in 1980. He founded Birchwood Builders, a residential building business, after his retirement from TWA in 1985. He was passionate about town politics and community matters, all in an effort to make his community a better place to live. Many knew him from his various positions on town committees and boards including the Board of Education, Sewer Commission, and High School Building Committee and he was a dedicated Scout Master of Troop 432 in New Milford, CT. He is survived by his beloved wife Anne C. Ford (Menasoff), his son Kevin and daughter-in-law Ellie Ford of New Milford, his daughter Karen and daughter-in-law Laurie Fletcher-Ford of New Milford, daughter Kathleen and son-in-law, Jason Van Praagh of London, UK, daughter Debra and son-in-law Daniel Keuper of New Milford, daughter Kimberly and son-in-law, Christopher Rotondo of Milford, CT and grandchildren, Harrison, Hudson, Hunter, Liam, Sally, Henry, Lucy, Sarah, Julia, Emme, Kate, and Aaryn. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara and husband, Charles Kurtz of Shelton, CT, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Patricia Friese of New Milford. Calling hours will be held at Lillis Funeral Home 58 Bridge St. New Milford on Friday, January 31 from 5 pm to 8 pm. A Catholic Mass will be held in celebration of his life on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 11 am at Our Lady of the Lakes RCC in New Milford, CT. Contributions may be made in Brian's memory to the American Heart Association.