The Honorable G. Sarsfield Ford, 79, of Fairfield, died peacefully, May 19. Judge Ford, son of Julia Day Ford and John C. Ford, was born in Bridgeport on September 6, 1933.

His devoted wife, Barbara (McGrath); his seven children and their spouses, Terrence and Christine Ford of Newtown, Jane and C.R. Shaw of Newtown, Patricia and Michael Money of Fairfield, Ann and Timothy Roach of Fairfield, P. Sarsfield Ford of Fairfield, Mary Margaret and Daniel Schiede of Massapequa, N.Y., and Daniel and Leslie Ford of Fairfield; 18 grandchildren; his brothers and wives, John C. and Joan Ford of Fairfield and Lawrence D. and Susan Ford of Olean, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews survive Judge Ford.

Growing up in the North End of Bridgeport, Judge Ford was a proud graduate of St Patrick’s school. He went on to attend Fairfield College Preparatory School, graduating in 1951. He attended University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1955. He received his law degree from Georgetown University in 1958 and was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in February 1959.

He joined the law firm of Keogh & Candee in Norwalk in 1959 and later joined the Bridgeport law firm of Clancy and Kenney, becoming a partner in 1965. In 1962, he was also appointed public defender for Fairfield County. He was nominated as a Superior Court Judge in May 1973 by Governor Thomas J. Meskill. Judge Ford was elected twice by the judges of the Superior Court to be a member of the Judicial Review Council. He became a Senior Judge in 2003. Judge Ford was known as a fair but firm jurist presiding over many serious criminal trials, including State of Connecticut v. Ross and State of Connecticut v. Peeler, both death penalty cases.

Judge Ford’s love of the law was only second to his love for his alma mater. He was a member of the Fairfield County Notre Dame Alumni Association and was awarded its Notre Dame Man of Year in 1972. In 1997, they again honored him with the Exemplar Award.

Judge Ford was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Gaelic American Club of Fairfield, the Garden Club of Fairfield, the Latin Scholars, Fayerweather Yacht Club, and the ROMEOs. Always a proud Irish man, Judge Ford was known for his fine storytelling and wit. He has shared advice to many a friend and offered counsel to those in need.

As his health declined, Judge Ford loved being surrounded by his family and friends. Tirelessly working to overcome his impairment, he showed his true strength of spirit and body until the fight could not be won. The family would like to thank all those who cared for him since he was stricken with a stroke in 2006.

Calling hours will be at Spear Miller Funeral Home, South Benson Road, Fairfield, Thursday, May 23, from 3 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield, at 10:30 am, Friday, May 24.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John Patrick Flanagan Foundation JPFF, PO Box 818, Southport CT 06890.

To leave an online condolence, visit www.spearmillerfuneralhome.com.