Ford

Robert “Bob” F. Ford, 85, of Renfrew, passed away Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at the Advanced Care Center of Butler. He fought a brave and courageous two-year battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

He was born on Dec. 15, 1937, in Baden, and was the son of the late Finley M. and Ida S. (Wile) Ford.

Bob was employed as a truck driver at PennDOT for 27 years, where he shared many memories with his co-workers and friends.

He loved running dogs, NASCAR races and the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he was proud to be a 32nd Degree Mason.

Bob cherished family gatherings and loved a great meal during the holidays or at a good restaurant. He enjoyed annual trips to Lancaster and Sunday rides with his wife and family members, Dean, Dot and Nancy.

Bob taught himself how to play the bass guitar by ear at a young age, and spent over 40 years of his life playing and singing in country western bands including his own, “Bob Ford and Woodsmoke.” He had so many great memories of performing as the opening act for big country music names like Charlie Pride, Faron Young, Hank Williams and Conway Twitty — and had fabulous laughs and stories to share about his bandmates and fans.

His greatest love was for his family — his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, of whom he was extremely proud.

Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mona J. Double Ford, whom he married on April 16, 1971.

He also is survived by four daughters and one son, Bonnie (Wayne) Bergbigler of Butler, Terry “Pete” Crowe of Renfrew, Glenora (Peter) Rodford of Loudon, Tenn., Susan (Jim) Hitchcock of Washington, Pa., and Bobbi Jo (Paul) Cornetti of Butler; his eight grandchildren, Danielle Criley, Tim Crowe, Dale Crowe, Samantha Crowe, Phillip Sweatt, Payton Cornetti, Maeley Cornetti and Sophia Cornetti; his six great-grandchildren, Nora Criley, Eva Criley, Josie Criley, Wyatt Crowe, Hayden Hoffman and Liam Crowe; his two brothers, Mark (Jean) Ford and Henry Ford; his sister, Linda Beatty; and his sister-in-law, Erica Ford.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his two daughters, Wanda Ford and Becky Crowe; and four siblings.

Heartfelt thanks are extended to the staff of Advanced Care Center and VNA Hospice for their outstanding care.

FORD — Friends of Robert “Bob” F. Ford, who died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, will be received from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER OF CONNOQUENESSING TOWNSHIP, 856 Evans City Road, Renfrew.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with Pastor Reid Moon officiating.

Private burial will take place at Butler County Memorial Park Cemetery and Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in Bob’s name through his granddaughter’s “Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign” at the following fundraising page link: https://events.lls.org/wpa/svoypitt23/MCornetti.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.