Paul L. Ford Sr. (1946-2025)

Wilmington, DE - Paul L. Ford Sr., 78, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 24, 2025, surrounded by family.

Paul was born on August 25, 1946, in Wilmington to James W., Sr. and Marie (Ackerman) Ford. He attended Christ Our King School, where he was a frequent visitor to "the Yard," and was a proud graduate of Salesianum School, Class of 1964. He later earned an Associate's Degree from Delaware Technical and Community College.

Paul was completely devoted to his family. He married his high-school sweetheart, Ann M. Lacy, in 1968 and the couple would go on to raise four children. After a brief stint in the Delaware National Guard, Paul followed in the footsteps of his father Jim and father-in-law, Joseph F. "Buck" Lacy, and joined the Wilmington Fire Department. He served the residents of Wilmington as a dedicated member of the WFD for 20 years, retiring as a Lieutenant in 1987. He proceeded to work for the State Fire Marshal's Office and then the DART Corporation, from which he also later retired. Possessing a strong work ethic, Paul also worked part-time for Mealey Funeral Homes, and for the past two decades was a fixture at Frawley Stadium working with his "second family" for the Wilmington Blue Rocks/Delaware Stadium Corporation (DSC).

Paul possessed a larger-than-life personality and never shied away from an audience - from performing comedy routines onstage with his father or acting as master of ceremonies for the annual Salesianum Alumni Sports Banquet over the years. Always quick with a joke, a story, or simply a kind word, Paul made friends easily - and had many of them.

Paul was a gifted basketball player in his younger years. A man of faith and longtime parishioner of St. Thomas Church in Wilmington, Paul would go on to coach both boys' and girls' CYM basketball. He was also an avid golfer and often watched the game on television even when he could no longer play. He was proud of the hole-in-one he made before finally laying down his clubs for good. In addition to vacations with his wife and family, Paul enjoyed regular golf trips with a tight-knit group of friends. And like many in Wilmington's Irish community, he was passionate about Notre Dame football.

Paul kept busy in retirement. In addition to his ongoing work with the Blue Rocks, he remained active in the Salesianum Alumni Association and the Wilmington Retired Firefighters' Association. He also continued to dabble in local Wilmington politics as a campaign volunteer. He was a frequent visitor to Delaware Park, where he won as often as not, but his greatest joy came from attending the school and sporting events of his six grandchildren, whom he absolutely adored. Though he wasn't known for his handiness around the house, he never lost his uncanny ability to pick out the ugliest Christmas tree on the lot each December. Paul will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and he leaves a legacy of genuine kindness and humble service that is especially needed in the world today.

In addition to his parents, Paul is predeceased by brother James W. Jr. (Vera). He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Ann; sons Paul Jr. and Brian, daughter Erin Sicuranza (Michael), and son Michael (Erin); sister Eleanor Ford-Zaremba (Janice); six grandchildren - Lily, Ellen, and Adam Sicuranza; Lacy and Ben Ford; and Nicolas Ford - and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to a viewing on Friday, May 30th, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 301 North Bancroft Parkway, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., followed immediately by a Mass of Christian Burial. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Paul's name to either Salesianum School, 1801 N. Broom Street Wilmington, DE 19802 or Delaware Hospice, 630 Churchmans Road, Suite 200, Newark, DE 19702, who did a phenomenal job caring for Paul in his final days.