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Matthew Ward Obituary
Worcester - Matthew O. Ward, 59, died at home on October 13, 2014, surrounded by his family. Although he promised to haunt us if we used the word "valiant" in his obituary, it describes how he lived in the past year and a half, and how he lived his whole life. He remained active in research, directing students, and encouraging colleagues and friends while undergoing treatment for cancer, and continued doing so up until his last week in hospice.
Matt was a graduate of WPI and received his MS and PhD in Computer Science from UConn. He worked at Bell Labs before joining the Computer Science Department at WPI. There he founded the Melbourne Project Center and was the first director of the Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. He made significant contributions to the field of data visualization and loved mentoring students and collaborating with colleagues in the world-wide VIS community. One of his last projects was editing the second edition of his textbook.
Matt was a talented musician, gardener, wood worker and "baby whisperer." He was also a beekeeper, salsa connoisseur and aspiring curmudgeon. He was a faithful friend and loving husband, father and grandfather. He leaves his wife Meredyth, his sons Nathan and Andrew, and Nathan's sons Andrew and Nathan. He will be sorely missed by his brother and sisters, and a host of friends, colleagues and students.
Matt's life will be remembered during calling hours at Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester, on Sunday, October 19, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; then at his funeral in All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Irving Street, Worcester, on Monday, October 20, at 10:30; and in a musical commemoration at Higgins House on the WPI campus on Monday afternoon from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friends and family are welcome at any or all of these celebrations.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Matt's name to the Worcester County Food Bank or to the student travel fund of the WPI Bioinformatics program.
An online register book can be found at
www.mercadantefuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
November 6, 2014
Dear Meredyth, Nate and Andrew, I sent a card to Somerset St., but don't have current addresses for everyone. I figure the way young people uses social media that Nate and Andrew would be more likely to receive my and Ray's condolences on the Guest Book. We are so sorry! Matt was too young to leave. I liked reading the messages from students and advisees- sounds like a great connection they had with your husband/dad. We wish you the very best. Blessings, Celia & Ray
Jill H
November 4, 2014
To the Ward family, In April 2013, I visited WPI with my teenage son. The campus tour didn't talk much about the Computer Science program, so Ben stopped by the CS building to see if he could meet a professor. Professor Ward graciously agreed to meet with him and spent quite a while describing the program. His obvious care for students was a tremendous factor in Ben's choice of WPI. We're sure you'll hear from students who knew Professor Ward better than Ben did, but we wanted to be sure you knew how far his influence ranged. Our sympathies during this difficult time.
October 20, 2014
Meradyth we are keeping you and your family in our prayers. Very sorry we missed coming to the funeral. I didn't know Matt had died until I saw the Bishop at the Sole today and asked why he was in Worcester. Love and Prayers, Ann and John Klump
Bob Halperin
October 19, 2014
Meredyth,
I was so sorry to hear of Matt's passing.
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Bob
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Kaupu Ohana
October 18, 2014
Aloha ka kou, Ward Ohana. Meredyth, although we are currently all in Hawaii, we just wanted to say how deeply saddened we were to hear of Matt's passing. Please know that it was a pleasure being your neighbor on Somerset Street for 13 years, and although years have passed, your family has imprinted itself on our hearts. We wish you peace during this time. Aloha Nate & Andrew. You all were young when we left, but know that you and your families are also in our hearts & prayers. Aloha Pumehana, The Kaupu Ohana
nicole fisher
October 18, 2014
Im so sorry aunt pook, and andy and nate, your family and i am here if any of you need to talk.. I will forever have uncle matt in my heart.. Love you all.
October 17, 2014
Dear Andrew and family...our condolences and deepest sympathies for your loss. No words can begin to express how saddened we are and how very much we hurt for you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of need and always. May God speed your healing and please know we love you and we're here for you anytime!
The Sowa Family
Lance Schachterle
October 17, 2014
With gratitude for all your many contributions to WPI. We will all miss your presence very much.
Doug Halperin
October 16, 2014
Meredyth,
I am so sorry to hear about Matt's passing.
I have fond memories of playing chess with him and noodling on a few math problems with him years ago at Classical.
With the deepest sympathy to you and your family,
Doug
Zaixian Xie
October 16, 2014
I will miss you forever, Matthew Ward, my advisor. You are so nice and peaceful. Will miss your books, walkie talkie, honey, and many others. You lives in the heart of all of us.
jean wyld
October 16, 2014
Deepest sympathy from all of your friends at Epiphany in Wilbraham.
Preman Family
October 16, 2014
Dear Andrew and Family,
We are so very sorry for the loss of your father. Reading his story, I can see that he was a remarkable man, husband,father and friend. May all your wonderful joyous memories of your father Andrew, carry you through. We are thinking about you.
Love, The Preman Family,
Neil, Judy, Zach, Matt and Jillian
Bill Hobbs
October 16, 2014
I am very sorry for your loss, Meredyth. May you feel the love of God and of many others during this difficult time.
JoAnne and Peter Higgins
October 16, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss, Matthew was always cheerful and smiling, we will miss his presence on Walker Road and we hope time will change sadness to fond memories.
October 16, 2014
Our deepest sympathies and prayers to you all. Jan, Eric, and Ned Brose
Just a wonderful memory...
Donna Fountain
October 16, 2014
May your heart soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. God bless and Peace be with you all.
October 16, 2014
I send my deepest sympathy to the Ward family. joyce hokans
Betsey, Ian and Gillian Harvey
October 15, 2014
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Scott Sieburth
October 15, 2014
I went to WPI with Matt and remember clearly his big afro (if that is the right term) from that time period. He was down the hall from me freshman year on the third floor of Morgan and in many of my classes over the next four years. There are three things that I remember dearly - things that Matt taught me. That the number 17 was "the most prime of all prime numbers". That the 17th of every month was Yellow Pig Day. And that the END CONSTRUCTION road sign were, in his words, his favorite protest sign. We last connected during our 20th WPI reunion. Matt lives on in all of us. Valiant or otherwise!
Abhishek Mukherji
October 15, 2014
Matt was a great teacher, mentor and adviser. He was cheerful and kind at heart. He will live on in our hearts!
Karen Oates
October 15, 2014
Matt had a sincerity and real commitment to our community. We will miss his bright eyes and broad smile. My best thoughts are with the entire Ward Family. Matt was a really great guy who made a difference in all he did.
Kaiyu Zhao
October 15, 2014
During our meeting, he once described what his life would be after his retirement. Those words still sound like it was only yesterday. I would rather believe he is now keeping bees, working on wood sculptures and pruning flowers peacefully, despite how much I disbelieve the story of the other side before.
Homer Walker
October 15, 2014
Matt was a wonderful colleague and friend, always a voice of reason and always willing to help. All of us at WPI will miss him greatly.
Kim & Mike Gennert
October 15, 2014
Matt will be terribly missed. He was as warm and caring a colleague, and as a good a friend, as one could possibly hope for. With our most sincere condolences,
October 14, 2014
will be out of town but my thought and prayers will be with you
chip
Nisey & Junior Harthorne
October 14, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace and save me a seat in heaven.
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