L. Keith Ford

Lawrence Keith Ford, who was a life-long resident of Perryman, dies at his home on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the age of 78. He was born in Perryman on December 23, 1930 to the late Gretta McGuigan and Harry Grafton Ford, Sr. Keith had three siblings: Sarah Ford Ripken, Harry Grafton Ford and Sylvester Day (Bob) Ford, all of whom he survived. Keith (known as Chub or Chubby to many) is survived by his beloved wife, Nanci Radcliffe Ford, his brother-in-law, A. Oliver (Rip) Ripken, his brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Patti Lou Guerrieri and many nieces and nephews and their children. Keith, a long standing and active member of the Harford Co. Volunteer Fire Department and a proud, retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant, retired after years of ownership and operation of first Chemical Products Company and then Paidon Products Company. He was an active parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Havre de Grace. A life member of the Aberdeen Volunteer Fire Department, Mr. L. Keith Ford, was still actively responding after 59 years of service. During these years he held fireline positions of assistant chief, captain and lieutenant. In recent years he was active as an engine driver. He served as president of the department a total of 17 years and vice-president for 4 years – an office he currently held. During his tenure as president, Keith was instrumental in the construction of the main station at Franklin and Rogers Street. When the need arose in the Perryman area for a sub-station it was he who set forth to obtain new members and eventually saw through the construction of Aberdeen's No. 4 House. He represented Aberdeen for over 40 years as a delegate at the Annual Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention in Ocean City. He chaired a number of fund raising committees, served on three building committees and several equipment committees. Mr. Ford enjoyed the fellowship of the fire service, and actively served the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Firemen's Association as president for two years. He represented Aberdeen in that organization over many years up to the present. He was honored by the fire service by being named to the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Firemen's Hall of Fame. Visitation will be held at Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home, P.A. 333 S. Parke St., Aberdeen, MD from 4 to 7 P.M. on Thursday, April 30. A service for family and friends, under the direction of the Fire Department, and Chaplain Harold L. Hubble will be held at the funeral home on Friday, May 1 at 1 P.M. There will be a private (family only) interment at the Spesutia Cemetery in Perryman. Nanci, Keith's wife, respectfully requests that no flowers be sent to the funeral home or to the family home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Aberdeen Fire Department, P.O. Box 118, Aberdeen, MD 21001. Attn: House #4. Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001