Obituary of David Hubert Ford, Glace Bay

It is with deepest sorrow and broken hearts that we, the family, announce that David Hubert Ford, loving husband, father, and grandfather peacefully passed away at home at the age of 65 on Sunday, February 23rd, 2020. Born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Glace Bay on December 22, 1954, he was the son and youngest/16th child of the late William “Bill” and Jessie (Whiting) Ford. In 1976, he married our mother, the love of his life, Sharon (O’Keefe) Ford. Growing up, Dad had a love for hockey and spent the majority of his winters at the Glace Bay Miner’s Forum as a “rink rat” while his summers were spent lobster fishing with his father. In his teens, he worked at the heavy water plant in Glace Bay before becoming a carpenter. Although he loved carpentry, the sea always called out to him so when the opportunity presented itself to take over his father’s fishing boat and licenses, he knew exactly what he had to do. His love for the sea remained with him until he drew his last breath. Dad fished the first Banshee, his father’s boat, out of Glace Bay before purchasing his second boat, Glider, followed by the Lisa J. He eventually moved the Lisa J. over to Wadden’s Cove where his sons continue to fish with his pride and joy, the second Banshee, which he built with his two brothers, cousins, and his eldest son, young David, who eventually took over as Captain when his illness prevented him from fishing any longer. Young David continues to fish alongside his brother, Anthony, and he articulated immense pride in their abilities as he taught them everything they know. For recreation, Dad enjoyed many years of playing baseball, hockey, and darts, as well as going bowling and scuba diving. He also absolutely loved to dance. In 1980, he joined the Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Department and he remained an active member until his illness forced him into retirement after 20+ years of service. During his years as a firefighter, he volunteered with working bingo, partaking in the Glace Bay Christmas parades, and for school and community events, etc. Dad spent a good amount of time moose hunting in Newfoundland and deer hunting with his brothers, cousins, sons, and best friends at the “hunting cabin” in Glencoe Mills. We can all recite the numerous hunting stories that he told us and this is where his boys developed their love of hunting. A lot of people might not know this, but Dad also loved to cook and bake. He prided himself on his bread baking skills which he learned from his mother and he never used a measuring cup, everything was measured by handfuls. He would often contact his sisters to obtain recipes and every Friday was “Fish Friday” as he would cook up a feed for the family. Most of all though, Dad’s favourite things to do were torment anyone who he could get a reaction from, especially our significant others whom he loved, and spoil his grandchildren in any way that he possibly could. Dad and Mom were married for 43 years and their unconditional love and devotion for each other shone bright. Mom never for a second wavered to care for him through his extensive medical issues and he would often say that if it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t have had the time that he did to spend with his family, especially his grandbabies. Together, they were an inspiration as husband and wife. Their love was playful and timeless and they never ceased to express how strong it was. Through even the hardest of times, they always found ways to come out on top, often by finding humour in whatever was happening. Laughter was always their greatest medicine. As a father, Dad was always very involved. He coached our hockey teams, attended our baseball games, drove us all over Nova Scotia for numerous sporting events, took us skating and fishing, gave great advice even when it wasn’t exactly what we wanted to hear, and somehow knew how to calm us when any of us were hurting. As he knew for many years that he was living on borrowed time, Dad made sure that we knew how important family was to him. He always said that the only thing he ever wanted for Christmas or his birthday was to have the whole family together. He made it very clear to anybody who knew him that he continued to fight his very long battle with Diabetes, and the abundant complications that stem from it, for his grandchildren. They were his everything. His final goal was to live long enough to know that his youngest granddaughters would be able to remember him, and although it saddens us to know that he didn’t quite reach his target, we all vow to ensure that they never forget him, or the love that he so deeply felt for them. We whole heartedly believe that he is right where he longed to be, holding his sweet baby Drake, together again at last. Dad, we all love you beyond words and you will be dearly missed by so many. David was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Jessie Ford; his sisters, Mary (Sid) Battiste, and Theresa (Bill) Gillis both of Glace Bay, Catherine Ford, and Margaret Bobbett both of Vancouver, Rita Ford, Anne Shirley (as a child), and Anne Jovita (in infancy) all of Glace Bay; his brothers, Paul Ford, and Jim (Sheila) Ford both of Glace Bay; and his most precious angel of all, his grandson, Drake William Ford-Burke of Glace Bay. David is survived by his wife, Sharon (O’Keefe) Ford; his five children, Erin (Chad) Hurley of Milton, David (Tasha Moore) Ford, and Sara (Michael) Burke both of Glace Bay, Paul (Lindsay) Ford of New Waterford, and Anthony (Jessica MacDonald) Ford of Glace Bay; his eight grandchildren, Tyson, Preston, Dominick, Colby, Hope, Braeden, Kieva, and Hunter; sisters, Helen (Thomas) MacDonald of Dartmouth, Lorraine (Dave) McKillop of Halifax, Ruth (Doug) Ford, Linda (Ernie) Billard, and Carol Ford all of Glace Bay; and brother, Billy Ford of Glace Bay along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. The family would like to thank all of our aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends and chosen family for never hesitating to show us your love and support over the years with Dad. There were times when we couldn’t have gotten through without you. We also wish to thank all of the medical staff who helped in any way during his journey, especially Dr. O’Brien of Glace Bay, his family physician of 39 years and personal friend, who has taken care of him and been there for him on every level, and Dr. Smith, his vascular surgeon, who made it his personal mission over the past three years both in Halifax and in Cape Breton to do anything that could possibly be done to provide our father with more time. To the doctors and nurses of the Renal Program/Dialysis Clinic at the Cape Breton Region Hospital, we can’t thank you enough for your care, kindness, and friendships that kept our father going. To his friends at the dialysis clinic, thank you for keeping Dad company during your countless hours together. He appreciated you all. Visitation will be held from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Friday, February 28th at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Chapel & Reception Center, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Saturday, February 29th at St. Anne’s Church in Glace Bay, followed by a reception at the Glace Bay Fire Hall. Fr. Duaine Devereaux officiating. Interment will take place in St. Anne’s Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we are asking that donations be made in Dad’s memory to the Pediatrics Unit at the IWK in Halifax or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca