Hancock -- Charles Wesley Ford, 85, died surrounded by family in his home on July 2, 2017. He was born August 15, 1931 in Ellsworth, the son of Lyle G. and Louise (Small) Ford.

Wesley graduated from Ellsworth High School, class of 1950. After graduation he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict from January 1951 to December 1954. Following his service he married Bonnie Albers and then attended the University of Maine at Orono graduating in 1959 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.

Wesley followed his career in Engineering from 1959 through 1971. In 1971 he began working with his father, Lyle, in the Wholesale Lobster and fishing business eventually purchasing and running the business until he retired in the late 90’s. Wesley had his pilot’s license and flew his Cessna 172, pontoon plane spotting herring for many years. He and his plane was a familiar icon at Flanders Pond in Sullivan for decades. To the delight of many, Wesley allowed people to fly with him providing them an experience we still hear stories about to this day.

Wesley was a long time member of the Shriner’s, Mason’s, and Elks.

Wesley spent his retirement years wintering in Palmetto, Florida with his wife, Bonnie, where they had a lovely home spending many wonderful winters with their friends boating and enjoying life to the fullest.

Wesley came home to Hancock to live full time in 2014 due to difficulty managing with Alzheimer’s disease which eventually took his life.

Wesley is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie (Albers) Ford; his sons, Chad Ford and his wife, Cherie of Hancock; Scot Ford of Sullivan; daughter, Kim Ford, of Hancock; 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, Erik Ford, his wife, Maria, and children, Hanna and Wyatt of Northeast Harbor; Patrick Ford, his wife Ashley, and children, Madison, Morgan, and Reese, of Otter Creek; Christopher Ford and his fiancé Shannon Hall of Raymond; James Rich, and son, Cruz of Lewiston; Irene Zapata and children, Kailey, Selena, Deandre, and Jamarr of Brewer; Garrett Ford of Hancock and Genesis DiCarlo of Sullivan.

Wesley is predeceased by his father and mother, Lyle and Louise Ford, his brother, Neal Ford, and his grandson Cruz Rich.

A special thanks goes out to all the caregivers for all their compassion, kindness, and dedication in caring for Wesley. Ginny Norwood, the two Laurie’s at One Step Home Care, all the staff at Loving Care Home Care and Beacon Hospice.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 29, 2017 at Riverside Cemetery in Hancock behind Hancock Grammar School. In lieu of gifts, donations in Wesley’s memory can be made to Shiners Children’s Hospital, Office of Development, Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa FL., 33607; or The Travis Mills Foundation, 89 Water St., Hallowell, ME 04347.

Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St. Ellsworth.

Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com