Local drum corps pioneer passes

On Aug. 31, 2017, word came that Frederick M. Ford, age 83, passed away. Although by trade Fred Ford worked at IBM as a Computer Programmer and for Tioga County as a Data Analyst, he will be most remembered for his contribution to the local drum corps activity.   

In 1948, Fred marched with the Owego Central School Drum & Bugle Corps at the age of 14.  He went on to continue his involvement in drum corps by marching with the American Legion Post 401 Drum and Bugle Corps where he ultimately became Drum Major.  

After interruption by the Korean conflict, the corps was reformed and, with approval from cartoonist Al Capp, became known as the “Kikapoos.” 

In 1957 Fred became drum major of the corps, which entertained crowds at parades and American Legion conventions in Atlantic City and Chicago.  In the Early 1960’s, parents of children became concerned about the turmoil of the time and a group of Owego leaders realized that the discipline, musicianship and camaraderie of a drum and bugle corps could afford a positive activity for youth.

This lead to the formation of the Mello-Dears All-Girl Drum & Bugle Corps, with Fred as its Business Manager. And the rest, as they say, is history.

There were 13 girls at the first Mello-Dear rehearsal. From there the corps grew to 100-plus members in just a few years. There were no specific qualifications to participate, just an interest to work hard toward a common goal.  

The camaraderie grew and members came to be known as Mello-Sisters, creating a lifetime bond with each other. Many hours of practice and hard work, many years of fundraisers and local parades, the corps went on to win their first National Championship at the World Open in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1972. 

At that time the corps would tour the country for two weeks each summer, performing in parades, exhibitions and competitions. By the late 1970’s, the corps would have two tours each summer, one week in July and three weeks in August, traveling the country as far south as Florida and as far west as Colorado.

With the extensive travel each summer, Fred noted that there was a need for a way to serve nutritious meals on the road. Hence, the birth of the Mello-Diner. The first of its kind, it was a full fledged kitchen on wheels, a bus fully equipped with a grill, stove, refrigeration systems and lots of storage for enough food to last many days. From there, over 300 well-balanced meals were served each day, eliminating the need for the added expense of fast food restaurants or the monotony of cold sandwiches every day. 

In addition to serving as the Business Manager or Corps Director of the Mello-Dears for almost 50 years, Fred was also on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Drum & Bugle Corps Circuit and President and Show Coordinator of the Penn-York Circuit for many years. He also became President of the Girls Corps International (G.C.I.) where he continued work toward the growth, recognition, and touring opportunities of all girl corps. He was inducted into the Drum Corps Association Hall of Fame in 2001.

More recently Fred traveled internationally with the world renowned Empire Statesman Drum & Bugle Crops from Rochester, N.Y. 

Fred also served in many capacities to run and organize the Owego Memorial Day Parade and Strawberry Festival parade in Owego for many years.   

Fred touched the lives of many during his association with the Mello-Dears and other drum corps, making friends for a lifetime. He will be remembered for his tireless hours of commitment and many contributions to the Drum Corps activity.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home located at 15 Park St. in Owego. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Owego. The family received friends on Sunday, Sept. 10, from noon to 3 p.m. at the funeral home. 

He was married to the late Christa A. Ford (Anthonisen) for 32 years and is survived by his daughter, Barbara L. Carpenter (Michael) of Central Square, N.Y. and his son, Rick L. Ford (Glenda) of Owego, N.Y., four grandchildren, and his longtime companion, Lois Harris.