Obituary of Richard A. Ford

With a heavy heart, the family of Richard A. Ford, 78, of Howell are announcing his passing on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. 

Rich was born and raised in Orange, NJ.  He served as an M.P. in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1965.  Rich met his wife, Joanne down the shore in Ocean Beach and later moved to Hillside.  They moved to Westfield to raise their family and settled to Howell in 2011.  Rich retired from the United States Postal Service as an Electronics Technician in 1998.  In retirement, he drove a school bus for Green Brook Board of Education which he took great pleasure in.  He was a hardworking man who always put himself last to make sure his family and others were happy and taken care of.  As he slowed down over the last couple years, Rich always worried that he wasn’t doing enough for others.  He was an avid reader, loved history and photography.  When he wasn’t on the go, you could find him enjoying his crossword puzzles, reading, and watching Netflix movies with his wife.  He had an affection for and enjoyed taking care of animals, either his own or someone else’s.  With a love for the beach and boating, Rich was never too far from the water.

Rich is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joanne; two children, Jacqueline Ford and her significant other, Wayne Smith of Howell and Christopher Ford and his husband, Jared Cooper of Reading, PA; three grandchildren, John, Gabriella, and Tristan; and a brother, Bruce Ford and his wife, Jacqui of Honeoye Falls, NY.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road, Freehold Township on Thursday, November 4, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM with words of remembrance to follow.  Inurnment will be private.  For those who desire memorial contributions in Rich’s name may be made to The Farm Animal Rescue at Maxim Southard, 1418 Maxim Southard Rd, Howell Township, NJ 07731. For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.