- Date Of Death: October 27, 2017
- State: Illinois
Leo James Ford III, age 57, passed away at his home in Chicago surrounded by his family on Oct. 27 after a heroic battle with cancer. Leo is survived by his loving wife of 26 years Ann Kettelson Ford and his sons Joseph and James. He leaves behind his four siblings: Mary Ford (Joseph Kendrick) of Minneapolis, Minn.; Anne Ford Gill (John) of New Market, Md.; Michael Ford (Carrie) of Shoreview, Minn.; and Grace Ford Kierna of Chicago; as well as many nieces and was preceded in death by his parents Leo James Ford Jr. and Mary Catherine Hughes Ford of Janesville, Wis.;his father-in-law, Sheldon Kettelson; his mother-in-law, Frances Kettelson; his brother-in-law, Richard Kettelson; and his brother-in-law, Robert Kierna.
Leo grew up in Janesville and graduated from George S. Parker High School. He received a civil engineering degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee and later moved to Chicago where he would marry Ann.
Leo was a true Renaissance man who exuded warmth and charm. His career encompassed industrial construction, real estate, and acting.
His wife Ann would always say that Leo was her biggest cheerleader. Throughout her nursing, legal and corporate career, Leo was there to offer advice, sooth her mind, make dinner—and most importantly, make her laugh.
He inherited from his mother and father, the sense of friendship in volume—from high school and college friends to work colleagues, actors, comedians and the Laschets stammtisch team.
For every person that Leo came in contact with, he left an indelible mark. He would light up a room, make the mundane funny and show genuine interest, kindness and respect to all.
