Jerry Ford, Former South Orange-Maplewood Schools Transportation Director, Passes Away After Accident

Jerry Ford, who served as the interim transportation director for the South Orange-Maplewood School District, tragically passed away on Friday, September 6, due to injuries sustained from a fall that occurred in late August.

In a heartfelt statement, Tom Giglio, the Buildings and Grounds Director for SOMSD, expressed his sorrow, stating, "I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Jerry Ford. He was not only a remarkable colleague but also a genuinely kind and hardworking individual. His dedication and positive attitude made a significant impact on everyone here in the maintenance and transportation building. It was truly a pleasure working with him."

Giglio further remarked, "Jerry will be greatly missed by all of us. His memory will live on in the ways he touched our lives and inspired us. He always took time to offer his life experience and guidance. My thoughts are with his family, and I will mourn his absence."

Stanley Valles, the SOMSD Director of Safety and Security, noted, "Jerry stayed in lieu of retirement because he always put our students first."

During the August 29 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Jason Bing informed the community about Ford’s accident, stating, "We did want to wish Jerry Ford, our director of transportation, a quick recovery. He’s going through a scare right now. We just wanted to get positive thoughts out to him and thank him for his service."

In the wake of Ford’s passing, Bing reflected, "Jerry always went above and beyond — he took over during a tumultuous time and really settled things down."

Ford joined the district last year amidst a significant expansion of the busing system. In a communication to parents last October, former Superintendent Dr. Ronald Taylor highlighted the challenges the district faced in securing a vendor, drivers, and transportation administrators, and praised Ford’s contributions, stating, "At a recent meeting with our Co-Op representatives, they lauded how fortunate we are to have our Interim Transportation Coordinator, Mr. Jerry Ford, as he is well-known in the New Jersey transportation community for his stellar work throughout his long and distinguished career.

Jerry Ford's legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire those who had the privilege of working alongside him, and his impact on the South Orange-Maplewood community will be remembered for years to come.