Joseph P Ford

Joseph P. Ford, 70, of Worcester, a retired Worcester Firefighter, passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2013 at UMass Hospital. He is survived by his children, Christine Poske and her husband John of Millbury; two sons, Michael Ford and his wife Jaky, and Shawn Ford all of Shrewsbury; six grandchildren, Courtney, Joey, Becky, Kylie, Adriana and Joshua; his former wife, Joyce (Agurkis) Ford; many nieces and nephews. He was the last surviving of six children, born to the late Thomas and Mary (Alex) Ford. He was predeceased by a sister, Barbara Kane and four brothers, Anthony, Thomas, Gerald and Jackie Ford. Joseph grew up in Worcester, before moving to Shrewsbury, to raise his family, before returning to the city. Joseph was a Firefighter for the City of Worcester, for many years, before he retired in 2000. He also worked as a painter throughout the area. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Firefighters Union Local 1009 and the International Firefighters Association. He had been very involved with Shrewsbury Little League for many years, when he lived there. He loved to be with his family and he was overjoyed at the births of his grandchildren. He realized that it was family that made life so wonderful. Calling hours for Joseph will be held on Thursday, August 15, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. His Funeral will be held on Friday, August 16, from the funeral home, with a procession departing at 9:30 a.m. for Sacred Heart-Saint Catherine Church, 600 Cambridge Street, Worcester, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to COPDfoundation.org.