Senate Resolution No. 727

BY: Senator HINCHEY

MOURNING the death of Edwin M. Ford, longtime Town
of Kingston historian, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Edwin M. Ford of Kingston, New York, died on Thursday,
April 29, 2021, at the age of 103; and

WHEREAS, Born in 1918 in Highland, New York, Edwin "Ed" M. Ford and
his family moved to Kingston in 1928, where he attended Number 7 school
on Crown Street and graduated from Kingston High School in 1936; during
this time, he was an active member of Boy Scout Troop 12, earning the
prestigious rank of Eagle Scout; and

WHEREAS, After receiving his degree in education from New Paltz
Normal School (SUNY New Paltz), Edwin M. Ford proudly served his country
as a staff sergeant in the United States Air Force Weather Division
headquarters during World War II; and

WHEREAS, In 1942, Edwin M. Ford married his wife Ruth in New York
City; seven years later, he returned to Kingston, and with his brother
Bill, formed Ford Printing, which they operated until 1989; and

WHEREAS, Edwin M. Ford and his wife were two of the original
founders of the Klyne-Esopus Historical Society Museum, and together,
they diligently worked to save the church from destruction; and

WHEREAS, After Ruth's death in 2005, Edwin M. Ford continued their
steadfast efforts and was instrumental in saving the old City Hall on
Broadway in Midtown Kingston from being demolished; through his
commitment, the building received national landmark status and its
eventual restoration allowed it to rise from a state of disrepair to
become the seat of city government again starting in May of 2000; and

WHEREAS, Passionate about his hometown and inspired by his recent
achievements, Edwin M. Ford became interested in the history of Kingston
and its preservation; in 1984, he was appointed City Historian by former
Mayor Peter Mancuso, and continued in this position for 35 years until
his official retirement in 2019; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Edwin M. Ford presented frequent lectures
to tour groups and local organizations and published two books, Kingston
in 2004, and Street Whys in 2010; and

WHEREAS, In addition to this role, Edwin M. Ford served as an
adjunct faculty member at Ulster County Community College for three
years, teaching a course in local history; and

WHEREAS, Edwin M. Ford was actively involved in numerous worthy
organizations including Friends of Historic Kingston, Salvation Army,
City of Kingston Community Development Commission, Kingston Historic
Landmarks Preservation Commission, Kingston Waterfront Commission,
Ulster County Historical Society, and the Firemen's Museum; and

WHEREAS, Edwin M. Ford was the chairman of the Old Dutch Church
Heritage Museum for twenty-five years, and served as its deacon and
elder for many years as well; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by one sister, Ruth Van Deusen Ford (Herbert);
one brother, John Ford; one sister-in-law, Thelma Vandemark Ford, and
his wife of 63 years, Ruth, Edwin M. Ford is survived by one son, Alan
(Barbara); two grandsons, David and Michael; one great-granddaughter,
Ashley; one brother, William; two sisters-in-law, Mary Vandemark
Cunningham and Renee Vandemark Miller; and long-time companion Susan
Hummel, as well as several nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Well-liked and respected by all, Edwin M. Ford truly loved
his community and strived to make it a better place for its citizens to
live, work and play; he devoted much of his life to bringing proper
attention to a place and time which merits recognition in the grand
panorama of the history of our State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Edwin M. Ford leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Edwin M. Ford, longtime Town of Kingston historian,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Edwin M. Ford.