Raymond W. Ford

Born in Newark, NJ, to Ann and Arthur Ford, Ray served his country proudly in the US Army during the Korean War, serving 13 months in that conflict. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (“VFW”).

Ray went on to be a police officer for the Harrison, NJ Police Department, from which he retired as Deputy Chief after 38 years of service in 2000, serving as a mentor to many young officers throughout his career. He was a founding member of the New Jersey Deputy Chiefs’ Association, a life member of the Harrison PBA, and vice president of the International Police Association, Chapter 45, in Newark. Ray loved to get together for dinners with past and present members of the Harrison Police Department.

Ray was a devoted husband of 55 years to Terri Ford; loving father of Karen Breen and her husband Dan, Susie Ford, and the late Chris Ford; adoring grandfather of Kerry, Shannon, Ryan, and Sean Breen, and Delaney Ford; and dear brother of the late Art Ford and his wife Janet. He also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

Deeply involved in his community, Ray volunteered for many years with Apostles House in Newark, which provided shelter for homeless women and children, as well as St. John’s Soup Kitchen, also located in Newark, preparing breakfast and lunch for 250-300 individuals two days a week. Ray volunteered in numerous programs benefiting veterans and handicapped children, and for youth and community programs. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus and the Livingston Elks’ Lodge 1855, and was a parishioner of St. Philomena’s Roman Catholic Church in Livingston, where he attended Mass regularly, never missing Sunday services.

His contributions and community service were recognized by the Elks, which named him “Citizen of the Year” in 2002, and the Harrison PBA, which honored Ray as “Irishman of the Year” in 2007. Ray proudly led the PBA contingent in that year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, marching with his grandchildren. Ray was always involved in fund raising to help someone out.

Ray loved spending time with his family and many friends. He enjoyed vacations at the Jersey Shore, where he loved crabbing and fishing with his children and grandchildren. He and Terri also liked to travel, particularly cruises, and relished their regular Friday night social activities in addition to family and holiday gatherings. Ray loved sports, particularly football, and rooted hard for the New York Jets, New York Yankees, and whatever hockey, soccer or other sports teams his grandchildren played for. Ray was an avid reader of biographies, history and politics. He followed the news closely, and read the Star-Ledger and New York Post on a daily basis throughout his life. He liked to read the newspapers out loud so that everyone would know what was going on!

Ray made a great gin and tonic and loved his whiskey sours and of course his beer! He enjoyed a great steak, fried bologna sandwiches and loved his “hole in the wall” restaurants. It was impossible to get him to go anywhere “fancy”! Ray was a fan of routine and enjoyed the simple things in life.

Ray was constantly working on projects at his and his daughters’ houses. He mowed the lawn and raked leaves until several weeks ago. His last big project was building a shed in Susie’s backyard, which we have now named Poppy’s Shed. He could always be counted on to help with car repairs, and he always knew a “guy” to fix or take care of anything. Ray was a beloved “Poppy” to his grandchildren, he always had money in his pockets for them and had the patience of a saint in teaching the older ones how to parallel park. They all loved spending time with him, working in the yard, hitting golf balls, teaching them to build things and going to Chili’s to eat or for ice cream. The joy of his last two years was spending time with his youngest granddaughter, Delaney. They had pizza for lunch every Friday and he had her laughing from the moment he walked in the door. He always left the house with his signature phrase “see you in the comics!”

Ray will be deeply missed by all those who ever had the great fortune of meeting him. A true gentleman and friend to all - we couldn’t go anywhere without someone knowing Ray Ford and being truly thrilled to see him. When you think of Ray, remember to do something nice for someone, that’s how he lived his life!

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 145 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, NJ, on Sunday, November 17, from 3:00–7:00 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Philomena Church, 386 S. Livingston Ave., on Monday, November 18, at 10:30 A.M. followed by a private cremation.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Raymond’s name to St. John’s Soup Kitchen (Newark, NJ), St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the Veterans of Foreign Wars would be greatly appreciated.