Hibernians to honor Irish Mayor for the Day

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John Ford

NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will honor John Ford on St. Patrick’s Day as this year’s Irish Mayor for the Day.

Ford will be honored during a ceremony on Saturday at St. Francis Church hall on Church Street following 9 a.m. mass at the church. The event will feature Irish soda bread, coffee and tea, and performances by dancers from The Horgan Academy of Irish Dance.

Ford, who is chairman of the board for Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes Inc., graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1964, according to his bio on the funeral home’s website.

Ford has been heavily involved in Naugatuck community over the years and continues to be an active volunteer.

Ford is currently chairman of the Naugatuck Fire Commission. He formerly served as chairman of the Naugatuck Street Commission.

Ford volunteers with the United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls and previously served as campaign chairman. He is a former member and president of the Kiwanis Club of Naugatuck.

Ford is a member and past chairman of the Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He served on the Naugatuck Economic Development Commission for 15 years, including as past chairman, and volunteered with the Peter J. Foley Little League.

Ford is also a member of the Beacon Valley Grange, Naugatuck Historical Society, Naugatuck Lodge of Elks, Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Rotary Club, his bio states.

Ford has received several recognitions for his efforts in the community.

In 1995, the Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce presented him with the Lewis A. Dibble Award. The Parent School Council honored Ford and his wife, Maureen, with the Raymond K. Foley Memorial Award in 1996.

The Beacon Valley Grange gave Ford its Citizen of the Year award in 1981, and the Naugatuck Rotary Club named him a Paul Harris Fellow in 1992.