Paul Francis Ford, 65, of Worcester, passed away unexpectedly, on Friday, November 11, 2022, in York, Maine while out for a walk by the ocean with his dogs and his loving wife Rosemary.

Paul was born in Worcester, the son of Francis X. and Anne M. (Murphy) Ford and has lived there all his life. A graduate of St. Peter’s High School, Paul also earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Worcester State University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Anna Maria College.

Paul taught High School for eleven years before he began his 31-year career with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Boston office, serving Region 1.

Initially, Paul worked in the National Flood insurance Program and served in several positions including the Region’s Flood Insurance Specialist. He responded to numerous disasters around the country including Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and the 1993 Midwest Floods along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. His friendly disposition, knowledge, and work ethic served as an inspiration for so many staff. Later in his career, he became the Deputy Regional Administrator where he proudly served for the past 15 years. Periodically, during this time, he also served as the Acting Regional Administrator for the Boston Office and for a period of 6-months served as the Acting Deputy Regional Administrator, in the FEMA New York City office, concurrently with his position in Boston. As a leader, there was nothing more important to Paul than the health, safety, and wellness of his staff and their families. He was most known for his compassion, willingness, and ability to help staff through whatever difficult times they were going through, whether professional or personal. Many staff regarded Paul as their close friend rather than a boss.

In addition to his wife of 40 years, Rosemary (Fraser) Ford, Paul leaves his daughters, Kristin M. Ford, her husband Peter D. DiFrancesco and their children Maisie, Owen, and Wesley, and Brittany Ford Petty, her husband Matthew R. Petty and their children, Liam and Brynn; siblings and in-laws, Daniel Ford, Ellen Bussone and her husband Paul, and Nan Ford, wife of Michael, Paul’s oldest brother who died in June 2004; sisters and brothers-in-law, Robert and Kathleen Fraser, Richard and Sue Fraser, Ronald and Joanna Fraser, Rita and Jim Atkinson, Renee Johnson and her late husband Barry Johnson, and Russell Fraser; nieces, nephews, and a great many friends.

Paul was a family man – married to his best friend and love of his life. He was his kids biggest fan and was at every baseball, hockey, and field hockey game growing up, wearing his infamous green Red Socks cap with a two liter seltzer. He had a unique and special bond with each of his children. He was devastated at the loss of his son Zachary, but held steadfast in the belief his departed son’s spirit helped him survive a near-fatal aneurysm in 2011. He did not take this second chance for granted. Paul was a lifelong member of Christ the King Parish and found great peace in his relationship to God.

There was nothing he loved more than spending time at the beach with the love of his life, his daughters, son-in-laws, and his grandchildren. While he was given many titles throughout his life, the name that made him most proud was Buppy, a name affectionately given by his grandchildren.

Along with his family and friends, Paul co-founded and helped run the 365Z Commitment to Kindness Foundation honoring his son Zach by encouraging acts of kindness year-round.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, November 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster Street, Worcester. The funeral will be Thursday, November 17 with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.