Obituary of William J. Harford

William J. Harford, a resident of Naples, FL and a former long time resident of Darien, passed away on Monday, January 30, 2012 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. Born on June 4, 1922 in Jersey City, NJ, he was the son of the late Thomas and Jane Henderson Harford. He was 89. William attended Notre Dame University from 1940 to 1942 and graduated from Harvard University in 1947 were he played baseball and basketball. He served with the U.S. Marine Corp from 1942 to 1946 as a fighter pilot during World War II and obtained the rank of Captain. William was owner of Harford Corporation located in Darien for 50 years. He also worked for New York Life Insurance Co. from 1951 to 1961 and Prudential Group Ins. Dept. as manager of the New Orleans Group Office from 1949 to 1951. He was also director of Bankers Security Life Insurance Society from 1955 to 1965 and Dairylea Cooperative, Inc. from 1970 to 1985. He was a member of the Harvard Club of New York City; Woodway Country Club in Darien and Club Pelican Bay in Naples, FL. He also enjoyed playing golf. He is survived by his three children, William J. Harford of Chicago, IL; Jean H. Cortes of New Canaan, CT and Robert M. Harford of Arlington, VA; and six grandchildren: William Harford, III; Benjamin Cortes; Kathleen Harford; Robert Cortes, Mary Jean Harford; and Cristina Cortes. He is also survived by a brother, James Harford of Princeton, NJ and sister, Mary Jane Ferro also of New Jersey. He was predeceased by his wife, Jean M. Harford in 2001. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas More Church, 374 Middlesex Road, Darien on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow with full military honors at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Founders Fund, The Club Pelican Bay, 707 Gulf Park Drive, Naples, FL 34108. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820