Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 am on Friday, June 22nd at St. John’s Abbey for Michael Joseph Ford, 64, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, who passed away unexpectedly on June 17, 2012. Rev. Jonathan Licari OSB will officiate. Relatives and friends may call from 4-8pm on Thursday, June 21st at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, St. Cloud, with a short prayer service beginning at 4:00 pm. Lunch will follow mass on Friday in the Great Hall adjacent to the Abbey Church. Private family interment will be held at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Michael was born in New York City, May 17, 1948 to Jeremiah Ford & Beulah Alfrey Ford. Mike graduated St. Procopius Academy in Lisle, Illinois. He received a degree from St. John’s University in 1970; where he played football, was involved in the school paper, student government, and ROTC.

After college graduation, he joined the United States Army in 1970, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division. After leaving active duty in 1975 he continued to serve with the Army Reserves and rose to the rank of Major and began the study of law at William Mitchell School of Law.

That same year, he met his wife of 36 years, Rose Zimmerman, and they married on May 22, 1976. Their first son, Timothy, was born in 1977 and Joseph followed in 1979.

After graduating from William Mitchell, he joined the Quinlivan Law Firm where he practiced law for over 33 years. He served as President of the Stearns Benton Bar Association, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, and Minnesota State Bar Association.

Mike was involved in youth soccer, Boy Scouts, and mock trial. He enjoyed traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Jeremiah and his mother, Beulah. He is survived by his wife, Rose; 2 sons, Timothy (Sarah) and Joseph (Jenifer); granddaughter, Vivian Rose; siblings Patrick, Maureen, Barbara, and Gerard.

Memorials can be directed to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.