Obituary: ​Carole Ford of Branford

Information via W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home

Carole Ford of Branford, died Friday June 22, 2018 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. She was the beloved wife of 22 years to Peter T. Gately, and was predeceased by her first husband James J. Ford. Carole was born December 14, 1932 in New Haven, daughter of the late William F. Graney and Gertrude LeGrand Graney. Carole graduated from the College of St. Elizabeth in New Jersey, with a B. A. Degree, and a membership in the National Honor Society, Beta Beta Beta.

She received her Master’s Degree in Education from SCSU. Carole was employed at St. Francis Home for Children for 38 years holding positions of teacher, curriculum coordinator and assistant principal. She was the recipient of an “Excellence in Performance” award from Connecticut Association of Private Special Ed Facilities in 1993. In 1997 she received a dedicated professional service award from Catholic Charities, she received outstanding leadership and teaching awards from St. Francis Home for Children and a professional accomplishment award from the YWCA of Greater New Haven.

After retiring in 2000, she became a reading tutor and the Title I Grants Coordinator between St. Francis Home for Children and New Haven public schools. She was a daily communicant of St. Mary Church in Branford. She was a member of the St. Mary Ladies Guild and the Branford Compassion Club for homeless animals.

Of all her accomplishments, she most loved and will best be remembered as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Besides her husband, Carole is survived by her children, Karen Ford Anderson of Branford, Dr. James (Ranie) Ford of Rowley, MA, William Ford of Branford, Christopher (Reene) Ford of Hamden, John (Jackie) Ford of North Haven and Jody Ford of Killingworth; her 11 grandchildren, Emily (Aleksa) Samardzic, Caitlyn (John) Anderson, Elizabeth and Sarah Anderson, Samantha and Jimmy Ford, Hannah and Luke Ford, Grace Ford, Alexandra and Rebecca Ford. She is also survived by several cherished nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her infant son Michael, and her sister, Jean Graney.

Funeral from the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford, Wednesday morning at 9:30 for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary Church at 10:00.

Burial will be private. Friends may call Tuesday evening from 4:00 - 8:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Branford Compassion Club, 2037 Foxon Road, North Branford, CT 06471 or to St. John Bosco Parish, 731 Main Street, Branford, CT 06405.To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Carole Ford, please visit our Tribute Store.