Wayne Sanford Ford

Wayne Sanford Ford of Bradenton, FL, passed away at home on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the age of “old enough to still have fun.” Born on September 17, 1949, as the second youngest of five, Wayne was a precocious child born and raised in Scituate, MA. He loved getting into mischief with his brothers and cousins while working for the family garage before enlisting in the Navy as a construction mechanic with the Seabees. Wayne grew up in a family of Masons and dedicated his life to serving God, family, and community while spreading a smile and quick wit wherever he went, making fast friends out of all he encountered. He moved to Florida in 1985 and began a long career in construction sales and Department of Transportation work with Florida Rock Industries/Vulcan Materials/Argos. His retirement in 2018 lasted for about 5 minutes, after which he began working as a consultant for Gosalia Concrete Constructors, Inc., where he could do what he loved while still having time to go on “excellent adventures” around the globe with his wife. In addition to traveling by plane, train, and automobile (and ship!), Wayne enjoyed golf and frequently played with the Men of MOC. He was an avid fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tampa Bay Rays, the UConn women’s basketball team, and anyone playing against Notre Dame. In his younger years, Wayne was a tennis and hockey player. He enjoyed reading, helping others, and spoiling Clementine Ford, his chocolate lab, absolutely silly. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Marie and Edmund Ford, as well as his dear brothers-in-law, Richard Silvia and Michael Farrer. Wayne is survived by his wife, Terri Walls Ford; his daughters, Kristin Ford and Kerry Ford; his stepdaughter, Catherine Clifton Hardman (Robin); his grandchildren, Kyle DiRizziano and Alicia Neville (Scott); his sisters, Marsha Silvia and Sandra Farrer; his brothers, Darrell Ford (Kam) and Brian Ford (Monica); and about a gazillion nieces, nephews, godchildren, and bonus kids he mentored throughout his life, as well as an extremely large fellowship of extended family and friends he called family. Wayne’s memorial service will be held Sunday, January 19, at 4:00 PM at St. George’s Episcopal Church (912 63rd Ave W., Bradenton, FL 34207). Attendees are encouraged to wear colors that make them happy, as Wayne was well known for his luminescent golf shirts and vibrant ties. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Wayne’s name to one of his favorite charities, The Shriner’s Children’s Hospital or Special Olympics.

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Wayne Sanford Ford

September 17, 1949 - January 10, 2025