FORD: Irvin J of Grand Bend
Posted By Haskett Funeral Home On July 14, 2026 @ 5:43 PM In Dashwood, Obituary | 63 Comments
Passed away surrounded by his family at LHSC – University Hospital, London on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the age of 89. Beloved husband of Sandra (Van Praet) Ford for 45 years. Cherished father of Deb and Larry Clarke, Karen and Mark Tuckey, Randy and Alica Ford, Renee Kleinjan and Kevin Willcocks, Tracy and Steve Read, and Vicki and Brent Lovelace. Adored grandfather of 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Dear brother of Lois Hern. Fondly remembered by his many nieces, nephews the extended Van Praet Family. Predeceased by his brother-in-law Ken Hern and his parents Arthur and Leda (Harding) Ford.
Irv was a hardworking and well-respected member of the Grand Bend community, proudly owning and operating Klondyke Farms for many years, where he built a successful potato farming business through dedication and determination. Beyond the farm, he was deeply involved in the community, spending countless hours refereeing hockey in Exeter and enthusiastically announcing motocross races at Hully Gully, a passion he shared alongside his son. Always embracing adventure, Irv earned his pilot’s license and loved taking to the skies in his own airplane. He also cherished the thrill of dune buggying through the Silver Lake Sand Dunes and looked forward each year to spending winters in Mexico with his beloved wife, Sandra, where many dear friends became like family. Whether cheering on the Blue Jays, enjoying time with friends, playing cards or making memories with those he loved most, Irv lived life to the fullest. Above all else, his greatest pride and joy was his family, whose love will remain his lasting legacy.
“Pitter patter let’s get at ‘er”
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Irv’s life will be held at the Grand Bend Legion, 20 Municipal Drive, Grand Bend on Friday, July 17th from 1 – 5 PM, with words of remembrance starting at 2 PM. Interment Exeter Cemetery at later date
If memorial donations are desired, please choose a charity of your choice.
Condolences for the family of “FORD: Irvin J of Grand Bend”
Our deepest sympathy
We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prays are with you and your family.
Dear Sandra and All The Family We were deeply saddened and sorry to learn of Irv passing on. Sure had a lot of good times and laughs over the years especially in Mexico with Irv. Sending our love and deepest sympathy to all. Take care everyone.
To Deb and Karen, and all your family,
Our sincere condolences of the passing of your Dad. You were fortunate to have him with you for so long.
Sending big hugs your way.
Karen and Mark
I am sorry to see the passing of your Dad.
Cherish his memories and he will always be with you.
Irv was such a lovely man and so much fun to be around. He treated me as though I was family and always greeted me and everyone with a big warm hug and a kiss. I always looked forward to seeing him and Sandra on the strip in Grand Bend enjoying an ice cream with the roof of their car down. He will be sadly missed. RIP Irv and I look forward to that big hug when we meet again. 🤗🩷🙏
The White family was very sorry to hear of Irv’s passing. Heart felt condolences to the Ford & Van Praet family. 🙏💔
Dear Sandra & Family, I’m sending sincere sympathies to all.
Irvin was an Uncle, second Father, and brother to me. He took me everywhere with him when I was growing up Showed me a lot and taught me a lot Sporting events car races and motor bikes and parties He was larger than life and was accomplished in everything that he wanted to take on. A successful caring man He will be truly missed
Deepest sympathy on Irv’s passing.
I remember Irv as one of the regular refs back in early 80’s doing intermediate D south huron hockey league. Irv would usually be in the middle of a brawl or two on the ice and his amazing voice announcing with Randy at the Hully Gully Motocross races.
RIP
Sandra and family, our sincere condolences. We really enjoyed getting to know Irv, such a kind man. Sorry for your loss.
Hello. So sorry to hear about Irvin’s passing. We just saw him at the airshow on May 31.
Hugs to you all..R.I.P, Irv
Sandra, Karen, Randy and families, my deepest condolences. What great memories I have of the Hully Gully days, everyone knew when the races were starting…”Pitter Patter” . A fine referee, although sometimes we didn’t agree with his calls. Above all a great family man, so proud of his family. Cherish your wonderful memories…Hugs
To Irvin’s family
Sending condolences to the passing of Irvin
Sandra, Lois Children and families. Anyone who had the opportunity to know or ever meet Irv will all have a unique and lasting memory. His laughter, jokes, comments and advise were always said from his heart ❤️ . Missing him already. Hugs to you all at this sad time.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers
So sorry for your loss. Always lots of laughs when Irv was around. Cherish your memories.
Sorry for your loss Renee.
Our deepest condolences to Sandra & family, Ford will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, we will especially miss playing the ring toss game with him, I always loved beating him and putting him in his place because he was so competitive & thought he was the champion, he always put a smile on everyones face and was truly one of a kind…RIP my friend
From the ring toss gang: Sherri Horner, Freda Welten, Clara Watson & Joel Dupuis
Sandra and Family.
Sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure getting to know Irvin. A great man who had a real passion for his family. I really enjoyed hearing his life stories. A life well lived.
My sincere sympathy to you, Sandra and family.
Our deepest condolences to the Ford and Van Praet families. I have many memories as far back as the Potato days at Klondyke Gdrs. Thinking of all of you.
Sandy and family
I am so sorry for your loss .. Hugs 💕
BEST KIND OF NEIGHBOUR, WE WILL MISS YOU IRV.
Sandy and family
We are very sorry for your loss. Cherish each and everyone of your special memories!
Our pal Irv will be SO missed in puerto vallarta Mexico! He was always a hoot and highlight to our winters there…. all our love and prayers to Sandy and family, hope to see you all in Mexico this winter.
Our deepest Condolences to Sandy and family. Gord will miss his chats and aggravating Irv, and getting a chuckle. Thinking of you at this time. 💕 Main street of Grand Bend won’t be the same. 😊
Our sincere sympathy to the Ford & Van Praet families. May your memories carry you through this sad time.
Gary & Beth
Karen, Mark & Claire,
Sending our deepest condolences to you & your entire family .
Pete Tuckey & Janet Prout
To Sandra, Karen, Randy and all of the Ford family.
Such a shock to learn of Irv’s passing, was just talking to him at the Sexsmith breakfast. My dad would often send me out to Klondyke farm’s to get produce for our store.
Our condolences to all.
Dear Sandy and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Irv. He was a great guy with a great sense of humour
Luv, Vicki Kelders-Kraft
Dear Sandy, Deb, Karen, Randy, Renee, Tracy, Vicki and families. We would like to offer our sincere condolences on the loss of Irv. He was always full of life and interesting to be around ! He was a dear friend and we will miss him very much ! His euchre friends will miss him. He always made it entertaining He had a real zest for life !May all your good memories help you during this difficult time. Carolyn and Bill
Sorry to hear of Irvs passing.our condolences to the Ford and Van Praet. Families
My condolences on Irv’s passing!
Dearest Sandy, & family, We are so sorry to hear about Irv!
We have so many wonderful memories at Vista del Sol in Puerto Vallarta of Euchre and Cribbage being played and especially when Irv won against Cathy “D” singing OH CANADA!
Sending healing thoughts and comfort
Jean Scheiring & Brenda Gibbs
Dearest Sandy, & family, We are so sorry to hear about Irv!
We have so many wonderful memories at Vista del Sol in Puerto Vallarta of Euchre and Cribbage being played and especially when Irv won against Cathy “D” singing OH CANADA!
Sending healing thoughts and comfort
Jean Scheiring & Brenda Gibbs
Dear Sandra and Family
Thinking of you and sending my deepest condolences. Irv was a great guy and he will be missed ❤️
Deb, Karen and Randy – sending our sincere sympathies to you and your entire family on the loss of your Dad!
Hoping your wonderful memories will bring you peace and comfort.
Lori and Brad Baker and family
Sandy and family: We are very sad to hear of Irv’s passing. His stories ring in our ears of his plane and swooping down on the people stealing potatoes out of his field and them throwing the potatoes at him in the plane, not to mention the days at Klondyke and always being there to move the seed and being more than a business man. Thank you Irv, a real gem!
Sandy and family we are so sorry to hear of your loss,he will be missed,cherish the memories ❤️❤️
Deb, Karen, Randy & Families….so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I met him a couple of times when I lived in GB and he left me in laughter. Unfortunately, I’ll be in Thunder Bay on the 17th but I will be thinking of you all and remembering the fun times we had during our family reunions. May your multitude of memories carry you through this time. Love to all.
Sandra, so sorry for your loss of Irvin. May all your happy memories help you through the days ahead. Sincerely, Nancy Turnbull.
Sandra and family, my deepest condolences to you and your family on Irvin’s passing.
So sorry to hear of your Dads passing. It’s never easy but just think of all the memories you and your families have in your hearts. And with your faith you will meet again.
Love Cheryl and Jim Burr
Karen, Mark and Claire and family:
Sorry for the loss of your Dad and Grandpa
Thinking of you
I was so blessed to know this awesome man. He had a wonderful sense of humour and I loved being in his company. You will be missed
Deb, Karen, Randy and Families
Sending our deepest sympathy to you and your families.
Please know that your dad will remain forever in your hearts and in your memories.
Deb and Dick Lord and Family
IRV….YOU were a BEACON of LIFE ..LOVE& PASSION. FAMILY was always a Priority.
SANDRA was THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. 💖
I was BLESSED to be a Small Part of Your Life & to Share Your EXUBERANCE for GAME PLAYING! . IRV …IF YOU LOST .. OMG the DRAMA enfolded . IF YOU 🥇 WON THE EXUBERANCE & DRAMA WAS LOUDER Than EVER.
I will MISS YOU L.C. Susan
Sandy, and families:
Sorry to hear of Irvin passing. We always enjoyed visiting both of you. May the times you shared live on in you always, bringing you strength and peace. He will be missed!
With Sympathy,
Willie and Linda O’Rourke
Dear, Beautiful Soul
Hugged me every time we saw each other.. Even ran across 83 when we both Cutting Grass.
Greatly missed by all that Swirvn Embraced!
RIP
💔 Very sorry for your loss
✌
Deepest condolences to the entire family. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Sending lots of hugs, love, and prayers…. Many good times on the beach in Puerto Vallarta…. We even let him sing “O Canada” every once in a while…. Many blessings Ron & Deb Wilcox
Sending lots of hugs 🤗 Sandy and Family, Irv was a one of a kind man the things he would say sure kept you laughing, and I thought I’d never get John to Mexico but Irv and Sandy asked us to go a couple years ago and we loved it., we heard so many stories that he told us that we new, he had a great life and did everything. He was a great neighbour and we are going to miss you Irv ❤️
Sincere condolences Sandra, to you and all the Family. You and Irv are in our thoughts and prayers.
May your happy memories give you peace and comfort during this challenging time. I am thinking of you.
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you at this time
Karen, Mark, Claire and families,
I was saddened to read of your dad, grandpa’s passing. I was only 15 but will forever remember the plane ride with Irv’s tricks and flips.
Sending hugs.
Deb, Karen & Randy and families,
We were so sorry to hear about your Dad. Wishing you and your family comfort and peace in the days ahead.
Our condolences goes out to all the Families involved! We got to know Irv when he was the Manager from the “Klondyke Farms”! A well lived Life!
Deb, Karen and families
We are so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Thinking of you all at this sad time. Cherish your memories of him.
Our sincere condolences. Such mixed feelings at times like this . . . . . so deeply missing a loved one but so grateful to have had them so long and that they enjoyed a life surrounded by good friends and loving family. A full life indeed, having the love of so many.
Sorry to hear about Irvin . I knew him from the Klondike many years ago . I hope the family is well .
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Sandy and family my deepest condolences