James A. Ford

James Aloysius Ford, Jr., 78, died November 19, 2011 in his Lower Alsace Township residence surrounded by his loving family.

He was the husband of Frances R. (Eichner) Ford, whom he adored. They were married February 7, 1959.

Born June 21, 1933 in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late James A., Sr. and Esther G. (Wills) Ford.

James was a 1952 graduate of Bethelehm Catholic High School and a 1956 graduate of Mount St. Mary's College.

He was employed selling business forms for his entire working career working for various companies. After retiring from sales, he drove a van for Antietam School District, which gave him great pleasure.

James was a member of St. Catharine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, Exeter Township.

He was a U.S. Army veteran.

Foremost in James' life, was his wife and his family whom he loved very much.

He was a real gentleman and was loved by everyone he met; he will be missed by all.

James was a former head trustee with the Ivy Leaf Association, Reading.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by six children: James A., III, husband of Linda Ford; of Muhlenberg Township; Mary F., wife of Paul P. Clark of Whitfield; Patricia A., wife of Donald R. Unger of Reading; John M., husband of Marjorie Ford of Sykesville, MD; Sara E., wife of James P. Stewart of Mohrsville and Kathleen M. Keck of Lancaster.

He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

James was predeceased by a brother, John Ford and two sisters, Elizabeth Burns and Anne Kocher.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Catharine of Siena Chapel, 2427 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township. Viewings will be held Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading and Wednesday morning from 10:00-10:30 in the church. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township.

Contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society, 498 Bellevue Ave., Reading, PA 19605 and/or Covenant Home Care Hospice, 1223 Pottsville Pike, Shoemakersville, PA 19555.