The Midcoast lost a good friend May 4 when Tom Ford, of Hope, passed away. Tom’s smile, his gentle quips, and belly laugh when truly amused were present wherever you bumped into him — municipal meetings, basketball games, local watering holes with his wife, Nancy. Tom exuded love for the area and that translated into dedication for doing right and good by where he lived. When he moderated a town meeting, it was always with respect for his fellow citizens. When he talked about regional planning, it was with high regard and sensitivity for the unique characters of the towns. When he shared his garden produce, or divided perennials, at the Rockport Town Office, it was with a spirit of unbridled generosity. More recently, Tom was sharing his wisdom, expertise and kindness on the solid waste committee, the YMCA board and myriad other activities. Tom was a strong thread in a network of communities, and he worked hard to make sure they remained healthy and purposeful.

We will miss Tom enormously, and send our condolences to Nancy, their children and grandchildren. And we will carry on all that he taught. 

Below is a story about Tom when he retired from the Rockport Town Office. He said, back in 2012, “I know I will look back in satisfaction, knowing that I have helped move this community in a positive direction on many fronts.” 

You did, Tom!

ROCKPORT — Tom Ford is moving forward, and come May 31, one will be more apt to find him in the blueberry fields rather than behind the desk. In fact, no desk figures prominently in his future.

"I like to get out and move," said Ford, Rockport's longtime community development director. "I love agriculture and horticulture."

That's good, because Ford and his wife, Nancy, own 20 acres of blueberry land in Hope, and it requires a lot tending.

Rockport town employees and residents can attest to Ford's love of growing fruit and vegetables, having benefited from the boxes of cucumbers, zuchinni and tomatoes he has brought over the years at harvest time. Some have transplanted into their own backyard gardens the herbs and other perennials he has thinned from his garden. Ford also kept his office in green over the years, with potted plants and an aesthetic eye on the outdoors.

"It is the next chapter," he said Nov. 12. "It just seems the right thing to do."

Even his departure letter reflects his love of the natural world, saying in his first sentence that "to every human endeavor there is a season and it is time to bring my season as the planner and community developer director for the town of Rockport to a conclusion."

Ford submitted his letter to Town Manager Robert Peabody, and said in it that he would accomplish a list of tasks that includes staging a successful transition, finishing ordinance work as outlined by the Ordinance Review Committee and Select Board, completing the 2013-2014 budget process, and helping set a new direction for the town-owned land occupied by the former Rockport Elementary School on West Street.

"As I close this chapter in my life, I know I will look back in satisfaction, knowing that I have helped move this community in a positive direction on many fronts," he wrote in his letter. "I have appreciated the opportunity to work with you and the Select Board and I know that Rockport is in good hands as we move into the future."

Ford took the job as planner and code enforcement officer in Rockport in October 2000, succeeding interim CEO Rose McClure, and initially working for then Town Manager Don Willard.

The Fords moved to the Midcoast in the late 1970s, Nancy with her masters degree in working with the visually disabled and Tom with his law degree and years of teaching experience in Boston and New Zealand. They settled into the community and raised two children here, Jenny and Dan, who are now adults. Tom has been a planning consultant, serving on the Mid-Coast Regional Planning Commission, and sat on many committees. He was a selectman in Hope, on the board of appeals, comprehensive plan committee, recreation committee, and was town meeting moderator numerous times. He served on the boards of the Coastal Mountains Land Trust and the Knox-Lincoln Cooperative Extension Service; on the Maine Municipal Association's legislative policy committee; and was on a legislative commission to review tax exempt property.

When Ford arrived in Rockport, the planning office had been through a turbulent few years, with a high turnover in personnel and a number of land use lawsuits against the town proceeding through Superior and Maine Law courts.

Ford said at the outset he wanted to ensure that the Rockport planning office would become a stable community resource, and that the citizens would regain confidence in it.

"Over the years I have worked with him as town manager, Tom has steered the town through the lawsuit minefield he inherited and brought us to the other side," said Peabody, Nov. 14. "It has been a very long time since the town has faced a lawsuit regarding land use regulations and Tom deserves the credit. His skill sets proved to be just what Rockport needed. He has also been a successful grant writer and the fruits of his labor are visible all over Rockport. I have enjoyed working with him in many hats he wore in the position and wish him the best of luck as he starts his new chapter."

Peabody said a replacement plan for Ford is in place, and hopes to hire a new planner by May 1. He intends that the new planner will work with Ford for the entire month.

Ford said he is fully ready to write a new chapter in his life, and stay active in the community.

"I turn 67 next month [Dec. 26]," said Ford. "I've enjoyed my time in Rockport, but there comes a time in life for everything."

And, Tom, what are you really going to do?

"I'm going to lie in bed with my wife in the morning," he said, grinning large.

Related story:

Rockport recognizes Tom Ford and Bruce Woodward, dedicates town report to retired fire chief

PenBayPilot Editorial Director Lynda Clancy can be reached at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 706-6657