Leonard “Len” Eugene (Villarreal) Ford passed away peacefully on November 8, 2018. Len was born February 18, 1936, the eldest of ten children of Antonio and Gladys (Berry) Villarreal.

Len is survived by daughters Julie Ford, Tamara (Stanton Sky) Ford, Susan (Troy) Sayers, Stacey Connaughton (Stewart) Sickles, Jennifer (Brad) Smith and Jessica (Kane) Kaiser; their mothers, his first and second spouses Ariel Ford and Gail Ford; brothers Tony, Jim, Dale, Ron and Kenny Villarreal and sisters Eleanor Gorshoff and Gloria Urban and their families. Len’s greatest joy was his family and he was the very proud grandpa to Christina, Nicholas, Colin, Taylor, Chloe, Bennett, Sofia, Sadie and Collette and great grandpa to Averie, Michael Owen and Emma. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Richard Villarreal and Robert Villarreal, and son-in-law Owen Connaughton.

Len graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Sociology and earned a master’s degree from Indiana University while a young father. He was a social worker and professional in the field of criminal justice and juvenile delinquency, which brought the family to Columbus, Ohio where he eventually switched careers working in the philanthropy field and raised millions of dollars for hospitals, nonprofits and cultural centers. In his later years, Len worked in sales for Creative Mobile Interiors in Grove City.

He was the adored big brother Lenny to his siblings growing up on the east side of Toledo and enjoyed varsity basketball at Waite High School. He was a crooner, a bird-lover, a baby-whisperer, and a host extraordinaire. He made the best beans, meatloaf, Manhattans and roaring fires, and watching “the game” was one of his favorite activities. Len made sure he knew, and remembered, the name of everyone he encountered. He was a sharp dressed man and looked especially great in pink! 

The family would like to thank the staff at Mill Run and Arlington Court Rehab Centers, as well as Avia Senior Living and Kobacker House, for their kindness, love and support.

Services will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd. in Toledo, Ohio on Friday, November 16th at 12:00 p.m. Visitation at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Len’s memory to The East Toledo Family Center, 1020 Varland Avenue, Toledo Ohio  43605.

Click to Donate to The East Toledo Family Center