Final Farewell: Anthony Ford's Funeral

RE: Anthony Ford's Funeral

What a great and beautiful service. You know, you can never really realize how much someone has made an impact on you or someone else until they are gone. Chris Clark, Dan Tormey, Chad Brownlee, and Austin Sutter were the Mavericks that hurt the most. Chad Brownlee wrote a beautiful song about Anthony, and what he meant to him and everyone else. After he was finished, while choked up, he said "Save #24 for my buddy.." Clarky and Sutter shared there favorite moments with Anthony, and Dan Tormey was a pallbearer. I was also glad to see Mr. Rob Rankin came back to Mankato for this funeral. This just shows what this young man is all about. Austin Sutter informed those in attendance that their locker room will now be named after(and in honor of) Anthony Ford, and the Mavericks first retired number will be #99, the number on Anthony's Jersey. It will be retired at the Mavericks' first home game next season. Our community has been greatly blessed with the oppourtunity to help this boy and his family, and get to know what life is all about. The Mankato West boys and girls teams were there, the East boys, and both the MSUM Men and Women's teams were there. A poem was written by Larry Wild, which is in one of the quotes at the bottom of this post. Ken Essay(Head Coach of West) read the poem, and got choked up at the end. All of Anthony's jerseys he had recieved were on display, as were many pictures, and a slideshow. I just want to say thank you for everything you have taught our community, and thank you for touching this Maverick Fan's heart. You will NEVER be forgotten. One Team, One Goal.

Mom and Dad wrote:

The game is over, the season has ended, but the numbers on the scoreboard do not show the true winner. One young man skates off the ice one final time with a career full of victories, both on and off the ice. You have one again shown us that it is not if you win or lose, but how you play the game. You have served your teammates and fans well, and for your efforts we will always remember your number. Good-bye #99 and thank you for sharing the true spirit of the game. You will be missed and we will always love you.

"One Team-One Goal" By: Larry Wild

Let me tell you about a friend of mine
His name is Anthony Ford
He passed through our lives too quickly
On his journey to the Lord

Life dealt Anthony a hand
That would have folded many
But he played his cards with courage
Right on down to his last penny

Hockey was his passion- and as
Cancer tried to take its toll
His hockey friends rallied round them
Their Cry "ONE TEAM-ONE GOAL"

He touched the lives of many
From Mites through High School
And Mavericks one and all
The toughest player in our town
Was less than five feet tall

While others played the game on ice
With stick and puck and skates
Anthony's linemates were nurses and doctors
Battling hard to change his fate

He learned about blood counts and chemo
Things a nine year old shouldn't have to know
They threw everything at the enemy-CANCER
Again, their cause "ONE TEAM-ONE GOAL"

And the prayer lines were overloaded
As thousands flooded heaven's switchboard
And the buzz at the Lord's call center
Was "Who is this Anthony Ford?"

Because if prayer alone could save him
He'd have been cured long ago
But God had other plans
And it wasn't meant to be so

At the gate Anthony asked, "Why now, Lord?
I've got so much more to do."
And the Lord said not to worry
I've got a special place for you

You see, your body may have given out
But your soul will never end
Your spirit lives on as inspiration
In the hearts of all your friends

Sunday you'll be skating with your friends
Down at the Pleasant Street Rink
Next week at a Bantam Tournament
Up in Hermantown, I think

After that your on the ice with
A high school team at the Xcel
The next day you're in Vancouver
With a Mav who made the NHL

Yes, there's hockey here in heaven
And believe me, Anthony, you're in luck
Because your ice time is determined
By how many lives you've touched

So Anthony, you may have left us
But we'll forever feel your soul
When we invoke your fighting spirit
And remember "One Team-One Goal"

Dedicated to all the Mankato Hockey players, especially the Mavericks

These quotes are from the funeral bulletin. Rest in Peace Anthony. We love you. You've taught us so much, and we'll never forget it. We'll See You in Heaven.