Michael-Ward-Obituary

Michael Moses Ward

Obituary

Michael Moses Ward, one of two survivors of the 1985 bombing of the militant group MOVE in a Philadelphia neighborhood and the only child to make it out alive, has died at 41.

Ward died aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean, according to the Brevard County, Fla., medical examiner's office. His body was found in a hot tub Friday, the apparent victim of a drowning, investigator Craig Engelson said Wednesday.

Ward was a 13-year-old boy known as Birdie Africa when Philadelphia police, trying to dislodge MOVE from its fortified inner-city compound, dropped explosives on the roof. The bombing killed five children and six adult members of the group, including Ward's mother, and ignited a fire that destroyed 61 row homes.

Birdie Africa and Ramona Africa, then 29, escaped with major burns.

The teenager went to live with his father, Andino Ward, who changed his son's name. Ward recovered from his injuries and later served in the Army.

A 2005 profile in The Philadelphia Inquirer said he was a truck driver and divorced father of two living quietly in the Philadelphia suburbs.

"I think about it from time to time," he said then, "but I don't dwell on it."

His father said Wednesday that Ward had put the past behind him.

"He was great; he was doing well," Andino Ward told The Associated Press.

Michael Ward and his siblings had treated their father to a cruise aboard the Carnival Dream to celebrate his 30th wedding anniversary, and the 50th anniversary of Ward's sister's in-laws, Andino Ward said. Ward's body was found on the last day of the cruise.

"We are just very happy we got the chance to spend the last week of his life with him, and that it was a very joyful, happy time, as we got to see him scuba dive for the first time in his life and enjoy it, swim with the dolphins," Andino Ward said.

He said his son was extremely fit, and the family is baffled by his death.

"The whole thing is very, very strange. You're talking a 41-year-old man with the body of a 17-year-old," Ward said. "He worked out every day and was very particular about what he put in his body. We just don't understand it."

Officials in Florida are awaiting the results of a toxicology test before determining the cause and manner of death.

MICHAEL RUBINKAM, Associated Press




Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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This month we need to take a moment to remember the survivors as well as the victims of terrible 1985 fire in Philadelphia. Michael survived this horific fire but left this earth way to soon. I can only imagine what he endured throughout his short life. May Michael rest in peace and keep watch over us from above.

That is not how the story supposed to end. I am glad you had the chance to tell your own story and not allow other to tell it for you.

Rest in peace, I hope that you done good upon this earth preceding your short time you lived.

May the Grace of God be with you in heaven!

Mr. Jerry Lee Modica

Rip Michael you will be truly missed! !

Michael, I didn't know you personally. In fact, we never met. But your experience as a child always left an impression on me. A few years ago, I had learned that you made a good life for yourself, despite all the horror. But, recently I heard of your passing - it saddens me. I just hope you are at peace now. God bless you.

RIP ANGEL! YOUR SPIRIT & YOUR BRAVELY COURAGEOUS STRENGTH WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

Dear Michael,
You dont know me...we have never met...We both grew up in Philadelphia, but had different childhoods...I always thought of you, as our lives moved on, I wondered how you were doing in your life...I always wished for you to be HAPPY, HEALTHY and Flourishing in all the desires of your heart... Well, I was happy to read that You were able to accomplish enjoying some HAPPINESS IN YOUR LIFE...It gave me great joy!!! I was conversing with a friend one day and I simply said,...

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I drove you to the airport to go off on that adventure you were so nervous to go on. If I would of known that it was the last time I would see you alive, I would of accepted to go on the trip with you. I will forever cherish the time we spent together. I still remember how excited you were when you did the walk thru in the new house you purchased & how proud you were when you showed it to me. When you asked me to move in with you & when we...

U was always loved. God loved you first and now
You are back with him. No more pain or suffering. You are now our angel from above. RIP.