Gerald S. Ford passed away Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at the Hospice of Dayton, Ohio. He was 83 years old.

Gerald was born and raised in Kearny, N.J., and graduated from Kearny High School. Before graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country during World War II. He served onboard the USS Pennsylvania and was stationed in Saipan. He survived a typhoon at sea and was training for the invasion of Japan when the war ended.

Upon returning from the war, he attended Seton Hall University on the G.I. Bill of Rights and graduated in 1949 with a degree in accounting. In 1952, he began work for the Babcock & Wilcox Company in New York City. He also worked for B&W in Barberton, Ohio and New Orleans. After 35 years with B&W, he retired as comptroller of the company. In 1952, Gerald married Regina Allen Ford and together they raised six children in Kearny, N.J., Akron, Stamford, Conn., and Mandeville. His wife predeceased him in 1990. After he retired, he lived in Avon, N.J., Ashville, N.C. and Centerville, Ohio, where he spent his final years to be close to many of his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Fuller Ford, whom he married in 1991; his sister, Grace Kennelly of Brick, N.J.; his six children, Gerald T. Ford of Basking Ridge, N.J., Moira Ford Ausems and husband, Paul, of Spokane, Wash., Brendan A. Ford and wife, Dewey, of Worthington, Ohio, Kevin G. Ford of Columbus, Ohio, Stephen R. Ford and wife, Ann, of Springboro, Ohio, and Regina Ford Cismesia and husband, James, of Springboro, Ohio, and by his 17 grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Road, Wall, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth’s RC Church, 424 Lincoln Ave., Avon, N.J. Interment will be in St. Catharine’s Cemetery, Sea Girt. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Hospice of Dayton, Ohio, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, Ohio, 45420 or a charity of your choice in memory of Gerald. For further information or to send condolences to the family, visit obrienfuneralhome.com.