Wayne Ford – Commanding Officer Canadian Army
Wayne Ford served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 37 years. He held the ranks of Army Chief Warrant Officer and retired as a Commanding Officer. He made his transition from the military to the funeral profession at age 55.
Wayne’s military service taught him an abundance of valuable lessons and skills, including the ability to never stop learning and thinking outside the box to solve problems. Solid organization and a diligent work ethic are also vital for both careers. Every little detail matters, from the way you speak to the way you dress and present yourself. He believes that veterans bring fresh ideas to the table in the workplace, especially in family businesses which tend to do things the same way for long periods of time. He says that in the military, you’re not allowed to say no, which forces people to do things they could have never imagined they were able to do.
According to Wayne, veterans are caring and compassionate about serving others. They have a strong work ethic and are able to create lasting connections with those they meet. In particular, veterans have the ability to connect with grieving military families – on a level that few others can.
A funeral home owner approached Wayne about entering the profession. At first, he was hesitant because he wasn’t sure if he would be a good fit. He thankfully gave it a shot and never looked back. Wayne is now a Funeral Director Assistant at James Reid Funeral Home in Kingston, Ontario – a fifth-generation funeral home that has been around for 160 years. He helped craft the home’s mission statement to help guide every interaction with families and community members experiencing difficult times.