Obituary of John Alfred Patton Ford

May 4, 1941 - Ottawa, Ontario

October 27, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

John Ford, beloved husband of Dorothy Ford (nee Buck) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at the age of 80 years.

John was born in Ottawa, ON, on May 4, 1941. He moved many times through his military life, finally settling in Calgary, AB in 1983. He joined the Armed Forces Signal Corps after high school and was stationed in multiple cities and towns in Germany and Canada.  His time in the military included peacekeeping missions in Egypt, the Congo, Cyprus and six particularly cold and dark months in Alert, Nunavut. After retiring from the military, John worked as a Bone Marrow Courier for the Tom Baker Cancer Centre which allowed him to impact many lives and indulge his love of travel. John met Dorothy in Nanaimo, BC. They were married in Springville, NS in 1967 and spent their honeymoon at the World Exposition in Montreal, QC.

John was a member of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeepers and the Royal Canadian Legion. He volunteered with Scouts Canada and the various churches he belonged to in his life. John enjoyed playing golf, bowling, and darts. He will be most remembered for his love of family.

Besides his loving wife, Dorothy, John is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Tim Hendry of Calgary, AB; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Todd Ford and Jacqueline Desjardins of Lake Country, BC and Paul Ford of Calgary, AB; and five grandchildren, Cody, Stewart, and Jacob Hendry of Calgary, AB, Isabella and Charlotte Ford of Lake Country, BC. John is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Colleen Ford of Ottawa, ON; sister and brother-in-law, Penny and Jeff Shelton of Comox, BC; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. John was predeceased by his parents, Mildred and Alfred Ford of Ottawa, Canada.

A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church (3704 – 37th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the church hall. Those attending will be asked to confirm one of the following, (A) COVID vaccination (date requested), OR (B) a negative COVID test (within 72 hours), OR (C) Medical exemption AND valid government identification (with name & date of birth) OR (D) Under 12 years of age. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Knox Presbyterian Church, https://www.knoxcalgary.ca/donate.

In living memory of John Ford, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.