Robert J. Ford, Sr., 90, of Clinton, NY, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2011 at the Harding Nursing Home in Waterville.
He was born March 29, 1921 in the Town of Marshall, a son of Charles J. and Kathryn Creedon Ford, and attended Waterville schools. He joined the U.S. Army Air Force. and proudly served his country during WWII. On September 5, 1942, Robert was united in marriage to Barbara Marsh at the Church of the Annunciation in Clark Mills, a loving union of more than 67 years. She predeceased him on February 20, 2010. Mr. Ford was a dairy farmer until 1966. He also worked for Clinton Farm Supply, the Town of Marshall, and with his son at Ford Construction. Bob was a loving family man who most enjoyed the times spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, and playing cards with his family and friends.
He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Clinton. He was also a member of the Clifford J. Fulmer American Legion Post #92, Waterville and the Kirkland Senior Citizens.
He is survived by a son and two daughters-in-law, Daniel and Kathleen Ford, and Betty Ford, all of Clinton; sisters and brother-in-law, Betty Barnes, North Brookfield, Eileen and Jack Shepherd, Clinton, and Ann Moriarty, Oriskany; brother Jim Ford and Eleanor Frost, Paris; sister-in-law, Anne Ford, Bouckville; his in-laws, Joyce and Jack Paul, Hannibal, Patricia Sahl, Whitesboro, Gerald Marsh, Marcy and Ed Keim, Sylvan Beach; grandchildren, Karen and Norm Cook, Waterville, Michael and Patty Ford, Michele and Kelly Adams, Kristen Ford and Kevin Ford, all of Clinton; great-grandchildren, Natalie, Melissa, David, Josh and his special little buddy Cole, who always made him smile. Also surviving are his uncle John (Sue) Ford, an aunt Elizabeth Greer, many nieces, nephews and cousins, and a special nephew Chuck Ford, Lakeland, FL. He was predeceased by a son Robert J. Ford, Jr. in 2009; and two brothers, Vincent and Richard Ford, and several brothers-in law and sisters-in law.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Tuesday August 2 at St. Mary’s Church, Marvin St., Clinton.
Interment with military honors will follow the Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Clinton.
Family and Friends are invited to call at the Kloster-Northrop & Bentz Funeral Home, 210 E. Main St., Waterville from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 1.
Robert’s family wishes to express their appreciation to his sister Betty Barnes, Dr. Francis Chabot, the staff at the Harding Nursing Home, and his wonderful caregivers whom he called “his girls”, Edna and Lillian Stoltzfus, Donna Bridge, Lynn Curtis, with special thanks to Betty Palaka.
In honor of Robert’s love for children kindly consider contributions in his memory to the Children’s Miracle Network at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica NY 13502.

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