15 Church Street
Carmel, NY 10512
Phone: (845) 225-2144
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This Book of Memories memorial website is designed to be a permanent tribute paying tribute to the life and memory of Colonel John Ford. It allows family and friends a place to re-visit, interact with each other, share and enhance this tribute for future generations. We are both pleased and proud to provide the Book of Memories to the families of our community.

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Obituary for Colonel John J. Ford

Colonel John J. Ford, 82, a retired Army Colonel, passed away peacefully, April 7, 2016, at his home in Somers, N.Y. He was the devoted husband of Kathleen K. Ford. They shared 59 years of marriage together. He was the beloved father of Lillian Ford Gaetaniello (Robert), John G. Ford, and Joseph Ford (Marinelle). He was also the loving grandfather of Kathleen Gaetaniello, Linda Gaetaniello, Elizabeth Ford, Sean Ford, Ryan Ford, and Joseph Ford, as well as great grandfather to Jessica Gaetaniello and Nicholas Gaetaniello.
Born in the Bronx, N.Y., he was the son of Frank and Lillian Ford. John spent 42 years of his life serving his country in the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and the N.Y. Army National Guard, with the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army. He was the recipient of many medals of distinction, including the Legion of Merit, the Commendation Medal for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
He was the epitome of a patriotic American. He graduated from Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y., in 1956, with a BBA degree. He graduated from the Long Island University, Westchester Campus. in 1980 with a MBA Degree. Alongside his military career, he was employed at Central Mutual Insurance Company as a District Manager from 1969-1996, for New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. In 1986 he was employed at National Reinsurance Company in Stamford , Connecticut as the Assistant Vice President. In 1990 he worked at the Division of Military Affairs for the State of New York, as a Base Supervisor at Roslyn Air National Guard Base, in Long Island, New York. In 2000, he became the Executive Assistant for New York Air National Guard, assigned to Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, New York.
He entered the US Marine Corps in 1952. In 1960 he transferred from the Marine Corps to the NY Army National Guard, assigned as a Rifle Company Commander. In 1978 he was transferred to Camp Smith Training Site, Peekskill, NY as a Lieutenant Colonel, US Army. He was the weekend Base Supervisor. In 1982 , he accepted promotion to full Colonel and transferred to the 353 Civil Affairs Command, Bronx NY . In 1982 he was appointed as a Liaison Officer to Headquarters, US Army Europe, with the German Territorial Army. In 1988 he returned to Camp Smith retiring in 1994 from the military.