J. Robert Ford

1934 - 2017

Most loved J. Robert Ford, 83, of Lehigh Acres, FL and West Hartford, CT died peacefully on Sunday, November 19, 2017 in West Hartford. Born on April 9, 1934, Bob was the oldest son of the late John and Eva (Bonci) Ford. He was born and grew up in Palmer, MA. His brother Thomas Ford of Granby, MA, predeceased him. Bob leaves Shirley (Maziarz), his loving wife of 61 years, and 3 devoted children and their families: Thomas and Donna Ford of Glastonbury, CT children, Matthew, Michael and Emily; Robert and Stephanie Ford of Berlin, CT children, Robert and Lamara Ford, Brian and Julia; Shannon and Michael Brennan of Leesburg, VA children, Michael and Sean. He also leaves his sister Joanne and Thomas Styspeck of Hadley, MA. He leaves brothers and sisters-in-laws Stephen and Gail Maziarz, Joan and Austin Sweet, Elizabeth and Thomas Terault, countless nieces and nephews along with many devoted dear friends. Bob graduated in 1951 from Palmer High School where he met his beloved Shirley and they eventually married in 1956. He graduated from Wilbraham & Monson Academy in 1952 and then attended American International College in Springfield, MA where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956. He received his Master's of Education Degree from the State College at Bridgewater, MA in 1962. Bob played baseball in college and was a highly respected southpaw. Upon graduation, he was a talent scout for The Boston Red Sox and The Philadelphia Phillies. He started his career as a teacher at Norton High School in MA where he also coached both basketball and baseball and served as the Chairman of the Social Science Department. Bob moved his young family in 1965 to become the Assistant Principal of Glastonbury High School in CT. In 1976 he became the Principal of Ellington High School where he eventually retired in 1992. He served on several state evaluation committees for academics and was a high school basketball official throughout Southeastern MA and CT into his 40's. He served for 18 years as the Chair of the Boys Basketball Tournament Committee for the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Upon retirement as a principal, he became the Director of Development for the CT Association of Schools in 1992 until his eventual retirement in 2008. Bob was a long time member of TPC River Highlands where he was an avid golfer shooting his age multiple times also winning numerous club championships. He loved to travel and was a passionate reader. Most of all, in addition to his family, he loved his friends. Funeral services will be December 16th at 10am at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on 872 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT followed by a celebration of Bob's life at The TPC River Highlands at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The American Cancer Society by calling 1-800-227-2345. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com