Venice, Florida

Attorney Paul Ford, husband for 53 years of Mary (Holihan) Ford of Venice, FL formerly of Amherst, MA died peacefully at the Venice Regional Medical Center on December 29 following a brief illness. A long-time resident of Amherst, Massachusetts, and lately of Venice, Florida, Mr. Ford practiced law out of his Amherst office for 47 years from 1955 to 2001 when he moved to Venice.

He was born and raised in Lawrence, MA the son of the late United States Attorney for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Edmond and his wife Grace (Daly) Ford. Attorney Ford received his BS from US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, Class of 1948, attended Harvard as a special student 1948-49 and received his JD from Boston College Law School, Class of 1953.

He then served in the United Sates Navy as the Main Propulsion Officer, U.S.S. Wisconsin 1953-55. Following his discharge he married his loving and devoted wife Mary Margaret (Holihan) Ford on May 12, 1954, began a family and settled in Amherst, MA.

Mr. Ford owned a remarkable number of restaurants and businesses in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, including The Chequers, The Amherst Pub, The Pizza Tower, The Little Drummer Boy, Cousin William's, The Amherst Nursing home, and First Title Company of Northampton. Mr. Ford also co-owned the Wilbur Theater in Boston, presenting shows such as Ain't Misbehavin', Eubie, The Belle of Amherst, and On Golden Pond.

He had served on the Amherst Town Council as well as the board of directors of the Amherst Savings Bank (where his is rumored to have enjoyed a close, personal friendship with Santa Claus).

An avid genealogist, Mr. Ford's research resulted in the publication of his book, The Descendents of Crohan Daly in America.

After moving to Venice, he served on the Board of the Jacaranda West Homeowners Association. He also took great joy in piloting small aircraft, until recently flying his vintage Ercoup around the Florida skies.

Mr. Ford is survived by his loving wife, Mary Margaret Ford and six grown children, Attorney Edmond John Ford of Concord, Ma., Margaret Mary "Peggy" Zimmer and her husband John or Harvard, Ma, Ann Marie Ford of Lamsdale, PA, Paul Ford and his wife Kristin of Seattle, WA, Elizabeth Grace Ford and her partner Sally Clark of Seattle, WA, and Theresa Lamkin of Holliston MA, all of whom loved him dearly and will miss him; six grandchildren Matthew and Joshua Zimmer, Daniel, Katie, and Stephanie Lamkin, and Esme Ford; a brother Atty Edmond Ford of Corpus Christi, TX. and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by 3 brothers Atty John B., Atty William D. and Robert F. Ford.

His funeral will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 10:30 A.M. in St. Bernard's Church, 1523 Washington St., Newton, Ma. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. At the family's request there are no visiting hours. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1332 N. Halsted St. Suite 201, Chicago, Illinois 60622 .
Burial will be private in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence, Ma. For online guest book or additional information please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com. or call 978 744 0497