Age 34. 68 Easton Street, Allston (Boston), MA. Born 1/08/1908, in Allston. Died of burns (death certificate). Automobile salesman, Noyes Buick Sales Co., Allston ('40 federal census). Was known by his first name Harold, also as "Harold James" (own signature, October '40 WWII draft registration card: "Harold James Ford"). In a main dining room gathering of 15 known as the "Allston-Brighton Sewing Circle" party, all but one dead, including his wife Doris, age 39, who died the following Wednesday. Also present his married older sister Mrs. Eva Healy and her husband William, ages 41 and 46 respectively, of Brighton (Boston), MA. Was reported as dead upon arrival at Mass General Hospital. Lone party survivor Frederick Harrington, age 52 (Born 9/21/1890. Died 4/21/1972, age 81. Last residence Dorchester, MA), of Brighton, escaped through a backstage service door to Shawmut Street then returned inside with a fireman. Mr. Harrington at the spring 1943 Grove manslaughter trials (quote): "...I stumbled over the bodies of...Mr. and Mrs. Healy, and that of Harold Ford, who was there with his wife Doris" (The Boston Post, 3/30/1943). An older brother Michael "Paul," age 42, was reported in the 12/02/1942 Boston Daily Record as "slightly hurt" (was not present, may be a reporting error or possibly injured in disaster aftermath). Another victim in the same party, Mrs. Margaret McFarlin, age 52, of Allston, was widely misreported as a sibling (her maiden name was also Ford, but different parents). A second older brother, Boston patrolman Martin F. (not present), died the following July (The Boston Herald, 7/29/1943: "In the Cocoanut Grove fire last November, Ford lost four members of his family [the count includes the two spouses]...Since the tragedy he had been in ill health and had spent several months in a hospital"). With his wife were two of 20 names chosen by the Commonwealth as representative victims at the spring 1943 Grove manslaughter trials of club owner Barnett "Barney" Welansky, age 45 (not present due to illness), his brother James, age 46, and wine steward Jacob "Jack" Goldfine, age 47 (the latter two found not guilty of all charges). Was stocky (WWII draft registration: 5' 8," 189 lbs.). Wore glasses. Late parents Mr. and Mrs. Martin E. and Jane (McDonough) Ford. Burial with his wife at St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Roxbury (Boston), MA (recorded with his wife on their death certificates as interred at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford, MA). Middle name James.

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