LEE, Mass. — Richard S. Ford, 85, of Fairview Street in South Lee, died Friday evening, June 22, 2018, at Baystate Medical Center.

He was born in Westfield, Mass., on February 9, 1933, the son of Harry and Wilhelmina Gafga Ford, and he moved to Lee as a child. He was a graduate of Lee High School, Class of 1951.Dick served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War then transferred to the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1961.

Dick opened Ford’s Auto Service in 1959 and remained a fixture there until his death. His coffee was legendary both at the shop and the South Lee Fire Company Chicken Barbecue. When he was not at the shop he enjoyed playing cards and horseshoes, making wine, working on his Johnny Poppers and watching the Red Sox and the Patriots. Dick had a lifelong passion for all types of trains, creating a model train layout in his basement and even recently learning how to operate a locomotive. Most of all, Dick loved being at his Fairview Street home, working outside, spending time with his family, friends and his favorite dog, Lizzy.

Dick served on the Lee Fire Department from 1956 until 2003 and as Deputy Chief from 1988 to 2003.

Dick leaves his wife and soulmate, the former Rose Mary Hunt, whom he married on October 16, 1971; three sons, Steven Ford and his wife, Meredith, of South Lee, William Forbes and his partner, Derek Wertheim, of Phoenix, Ariz., and William’s ex-wife, Dawn Forbes, of Hinsdale, and Michael Ford and his wife, Lisa, of South Lee; four daughters, Lisa Korte and her husband, William, of West Stockbridge, Jennifer Hayford of Boynton Beach, Fla., Joanne Vargas and her fiancé, Rick Decker, of Great Barrington and Carole Somerville and her husband, Michael, of South Lee; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Barbara Arnold of Connecticut.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Richard Ford will be held on Friday, June 29, 2018, at 11 a.m., outside next to his home at 1025 Fairview Street with the Rev. Brian McGrath, Pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Lee, officiating. Visiting hours will be on Thursday evening from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee. Friends wishing may make donations to either the Berkshire Humane Society or the Kids Place in c/o the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238.