Gerald A. Ward

WARD, GERALD A., 76, - of Hopewell Township, died at home after complications from Leukemia. Mr. Ward was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, and was the son of the late Francis B. Ward and Fidelis Miller Ward. He was raised in Pitman and during his years at Pitman High School he excelled in basketball and was a member of the all-conference championship team in 1950. After graduation Jerry attended Rutgers University and graduated from Gettysburg College where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Following graduation from college Jerry served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany from 1954-1956. An avid outdoorsman and golfer he was a regular on the links at Holly Hills Golf Club. During his membership at the Georgetown Swim Club he served as president for a number of years and also represented the club as the Tri-County Swim Team Representative. He served on the Hopewell Township Zoning Board acting as the chairperson during his tenure and also served on the Citizens Advisory Board for Cumberland Regional High School for two terms. Mr. Ward began his career as a salesman for Prentice-Hall Publishers, then continued his career with Park-Davis Pharmaceuticals, JDR Capital Corporation and was employed by Helena Chemical Company until his retirement. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Linda Kelly Ward, sons, John Douglas Ward of Manayunk, PA, Steven Ryan Ward of Hopewell Township and a daughter, Meredith Karen Ward of Philadelphia. Also surviving are brothers Patrick Ward of Victorville, CA and Thomas J. Ward of Pitman and a sister, JoAnn Facciarossa of Pitman along with many nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at 10 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 161 Pitman Avenue, Pitman. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family at St. Mary's Cemetery in Williamstown. The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Contributions in Jerry's memory may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 216 Haddon Avenue, Suite 328, Westmont, NJ 08108 or to South Jersey HospiceCare, P.O. Box 160, Bridgeton, NJ 08302. Arrangements are under the direction of the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway #77, Upper Deerfield Township. Written condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at padgettfuneralhome.com

This obituary was originally published in The Press of Atlantic City.