George J. Ford Jr., of Fairfield, the beloved husband of Elizabeth (Betty) Hogan Ford for 57 years, died Friday, December 3, 2010 at the age of 81.  Born in New Haven, he was the son of the late George J. Ford Sr. and Elizabeth Cox Ford.  A Fairfield resident for 47 years, Mr. Ford was a licensed Certified Public Accountant, the former controller of McDarlen Construction, and a self-employed property manager for 35 years.  He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Japan during World War II, and retired as an Army Command Sergeant Major after a combined 39 years of military service.  He was a past Barnum Festival Parade Marshall, and a longtime member of Lancraft Fife and Drum Corp.  Mr. Ford also was a founding member and past president of Connecticut Swimming Officials Association, and the co-chair of Special Olympics Swimming for 30 years.  In 2009, he was enshrined as a Swimming Official to the National High School Hall of Fame.  Survivors, in addition to his wife, include his loving children, Daniel Ford (spouse Barbara), Claire Michalak  (Joseph Jr.), Kevin Ford  (Elizabeth), Timothy Ford (Beth), Dennis Ford, Terence Ford (Teresa), Betsy Ford, nine grandsons (Shaun, Matthew, Philip, Joseph III, James, Christopher, Austin, Brendan, and Liam), nine granddaughters (Allison, Jennifer, Kelly, Stephanie, Kristin, Colleen, Maribeth, Lindsey, Madeline), two sisters, Justine Sekira and Mary Louise Griffin, brother Edward Ford,  along with many nieces and nephews.  Funeral services will be Thursday at 10:00 am at Holy Family Church, Fairfield with a Mass of Christian Burial.  Private family interment with full Military Honors will follow in Lawncroft Cemetery, Fairfield.  Friends may call Wednesday 4-8 pm in the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in his memory to CLASP Group Homes (www.clasphomes.org) or Special Olympics Connecticut (www.soct.org).  The family invites all attendees to a celebration of his life at the Holy Family Church Hall following the funeral mass.  To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com