Patrick James Ford

Patrick James Ford, 54, of Tampa, FL, formerly from Pottstown, PA, died unexpectedly on November 19, 2022. He is the beloved husband of 24 years to Susan C. Ford (nee Lucas). Patrick is predeceased by his parents, Rose Teresa McHugh Ford and James Edward Ford. He is the devoted brother of Michael (Becky) and is predeceased by his young brother, Sean. He is the loving uncle to Bradley, Mitchell, Jimmy, Katie, Michael, Emily, and Kate. He is the cherished brother-in-law to David (Nancy) Lucas and son-in-law to Carl J. Lucas. Patrick, affectionately known to many as "Pippi", was a 1986 graduate of Pottsgrove High School. He joined the United States Marine Corps immediately following high school and was a member of the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. After serving in the Marine Corps, he then went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology at Penn State University. Patrick then worked at General Electric (GE) and Johnson Controls in Erie, PA., as a mechanical engineer. While in Erie, he began to pursue his lifelong dream of flying. It was also in Erie, on the night before Thanksgiving in 1995, that he met his loving wife Susan, and they began a life together of travel as his career took them all over the country. Patrick reentered the armed forces in 1997 in the Navy's Officer Candidate (OCS) School in Pensacola, FL. Upon completion, he pursued a military career in Naval Intelligence. Patrick proudly served as a Naval Intelligence Officer for 17 years and retired from the military as a Lieutenant Commander (LCDR). He continued to work in the field of Intelligence, while pursuing his instructor pilot licenses. In 2016, he began working as a flight instructor for the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, FL. In 2020, he began flying as a First Officer with Republic Airways, and recently, in September 2022, he began training as a Captain with Envoy Air. Those that met Patrick never forgot him. He always had a smile, was quick with a joke, and was always interested in talking about current events, or his love for history and reading. Patrick loved to watch the Fighting Irish with his brother, Mike, and his friends and family from across the country. Patrick had a love for working on cars and could fix just about anything. Information regarding a memorial service will follow.