James W. Ford

Mr. James W. Ford of Newtown, CT, and former resident of Colchester for 24 years, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2022 at the age of 76.

Mr. Ford was born in Waterbury on January 3, 1946, son of the late William T. and Olive E. (Warner) Ford. He was raised in Naugatuck and attended local schools, graduating from Naugatuck High School in 1964. He then attended the University of Connecticut, graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. In 1973, he earned a Master of Science in Traffic and Transportation Engineering and became a Registered Professional Engineer in Connecticut and several other states.

After graduation, he started working for the State of Connecticut, beginning an over 50 year career in transportation engineering where he held many positions such as Director, Partner, Vice President, National Leader, and respected, lifetime member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. He loved his work and split his time working for both municipalities and private firms, including finishing his career with the City of Hartford three years ago.

He was passionate about his involvement in local communities, serving as Chairman of the Cromwell Planning Commission, Cromwell Inland Wetlands Agency, Colchester Planning and Zoning Commission, and Colchester Economic Development Commission, as well as a member of several other development and planning commissions. He also served three terms as a member of the Colchester Board of Selectmen.

Jim is survived by his two sons; James Ford and his wife Kerry and their children Kaitlyn, Brennan, and Connor of New Fairfield; Mark Ford and his wife Shannon and their children, Adam and Noah of Acton, MA; his twin brother John W. Ford of Naugatuck along with one nephew and one niece and their families.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 5th at 3:00 pm, at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. Naugatuck, CT. Burial will be in Grove Cemetery, Naugatuck at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck on Saturday, February 5th from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10021 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 280285, East Hartford, CT 06128-0285.