Peter Dean Ford was born on 3 September 1937 in Hamilton, Ontario to Irva Emily Pearson Ford and Arthur Llewellyn Ford. He died on 25 December 2022 at the age of 85 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Peter Ford is survived by his sister Susan Ford Ricketts and her husband, David Ricketts, and his brother David Park Ford and his wife, Christel Wiens Ford.
Peter was married to Judith (Judy) Annabel Saint from 2006 until her passing in 2021. They are survived by her children, D. Douglas Rennie, Lori Rennie and her husband Joe Fournier, Allan Rennie and his wife Tracey Kelley as well as grandchildren, Gillian-Rae Fournier, Marina Rennie, Rachael Rennie and Bethany Rennie.
Peter was married to Alfreda (Freddie) Crisell Johnston from 1983 until her death in 2004. They are survived by her daughter, Cynthia (Cindi) Johnston-Turner and her husband Peter Turner.
Peter was married to Brenda Horner in 1974, until they amicably separated after two years.
Peter and Vera Mae Cody were married in 1957 in Hamilton, Ontario and had four children together prior to her death in 1973. Daughters Tamara Suzan Ford and Lorel Shawn Ford preceded Peter in death. Peter and Vera are survived by two sons: Darryl (Dal) Ford, his wife Wendy Kostiuk, and children Brittany Anne Ford and Cody Wray Ford, and Cody Dean Ford and his wife, Paula Lettiere, and daughter, Eslyn Adeline Ford.
Peter was born into a traditionally musical family and had a music career that spanned 64 years, beginning as a private tutor at the age of 14. Peter was an excellent flutist, and won many music festivals. He played in the Hamilton Philharmonic orchestra and was guest soloist at the Brantford Philharmonic orchestra. By the time Peter finished high school, he had played with 40 different groups and acquired his Associate of The Royal Conservatory Toronto piano degree.
After a year at McMaster University, he was hired as lead flute in Youngstown Symphony in Ohio and got a scholarship to Youngstown University. He went on to do his masters in music education in Boston at the New England Conservatory of Music.
During his tenure teaching music at Crestwood Secondary School, he took his high school band on 27 international tours. This was something he always said was one of the highlights of his career. Through these experiences he has influenced hundreds of families throughout the Peterborough area. « They were all great experiences, » he said of the tours. That sentiment has been echoed by students and parents through the years.
After retiring from Crestwood in 1993, he launched and conducted the Kawartha Wind Symphony and Starfire Band in 1999, and in 2002, he started the Peterborough New Horizons Band. He swerved from conducting to music director in 2004 and launched his final endeavor in 2011 with the Lift Lock New Horizons Band before finally retiring from it all in 2016.
Peter Ford’s musical impact has spanned generations and will continue far beyond his death. « I can’t imagine my life without music. » –Peter Ford
Aquamation has already taken place, and a memorial page is available at Ashburnham Funeral home for those who wish to leave their condolences. Honorary donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
The family will host a celebration of life for Peter Ford later in 2023. Announcement to follow. If you would like to join the celebration, send photographs, or share anecdotes for the celebration please email fordcelebration2023@gmail.com
Sunday December 25th 2022
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Peter Ford Sunday December 25th 2022 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.
Décès pour la Ville:Peterborough, Province: Ontario