Former 1st Ward Alderman, City of Ansonia, CT, Gordon Spencer Ford, Sr. peacefully passed away, after a courageous five-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. On Thursday, July 21st, at St Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport, CT, Gordon transitioned from labor to reward. He was raised and lived in Ansonia his entire life. He was a graduate of Ansonia High School. Gordon was married to Ralphine Siggars and they had two children, Gordon Spencer Ford Jr. (Denita) of Charlotte, NC and Vannessa Louise Ford of Woodland Hills, CA. He was the grandfather to Brittney Ford of Apple Valley, CA and Alexis Ford of Charlotte, NC.
Gordon often called “Spencer” by family and close friends, was the son of Florence Austin Ford and the late Harry F. Ford, and the late Joseph Delgado. He leaves behind his siblings, Sharon Clark, Dean Ford, Deidre Pender, Melissa Ward, Mary Payne, Ann Delgado, and stepmother Dollie Delgado. He was predeceased by brothers, Darrell Ford, Alan Ford and Bryan Walker.
Gordon was a former U.S. Marine. Also, he served two terms on the Ansonia Board of Alderman representing the First Ward in Ansonia, CT and serving on several committees for the city (elected in late 1970’s). Gordon worked for Sponge Rubber Products, the State of CT DOT and Farrel Corp. He was employed by Sikorsky Aircraft (UTC) for over thirty years, where he traveled extensively around the world.
Gordon was a very caring, hardworking, and devoted person. He supported and encouraged his family to work for the betterment of youth, elderly and the economically disadvantaged. Family was very important to him and he enjoyed spending time and traveling with his two granddaughters. His hobbies included deep sea fishing, scuba diving, and traveling the US and other countries.
Over the years, he was a member of the Copper City Lodge #666 Elks, “12” Only Men’s Club, LNV Black Democratic Club, RSF Black Democratic Club in the Valley, and CT State Federation of Black Democratic Clubs.
A special thanks to Rev. Alfred Smith, Roy Ann and Calvin Ellerbee, Cynthia Bostic, Karen Thomas, James Dimery Jr., Shawn Venson, Kenneth Epps, Debra Ventre, Dr. Strick Woods, Dr. Phillip Paty and staff, Dr. George Getrajdman and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Vitas, Dr. Radhika Khwaja and St. Vincent’s Hospital – Oncology staff.
Services will be held Thursday, July 28th at 3:30 pm at First Baptist Church in Ansonia. Viewing will take place at 2:00 pm at the church. The Interment will be held at Mt. St. Peters Cemetery in Derby on Friday, July 29th at 9:00 am. The Jenkins-Kings Funeral Home, 12 Franklin St., Ansonia is entrusted with funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent’s Medical Center in his memory.
