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BORN
1944
DIED
2020
MICHAEL WARD Obituary
Mike grew up in Omaha, NB and eventually moved to Boston before settling full-time in Chatham. Mike taught English at the college level for several years. In 1980, he became a certified Transactional Analyst and was a psychotherapist in private practice until his retirement in 2014.
Mike was a generous human being and dedicated activist, beginning with the early gay rights movement in the 1970's. Mike worked as a volunteer for the AIDS Action Committee in the 1980's during the height of the AIDS epidemic, following the loss of his partner, Mark Halberstadt. He wrote a poignant memoir about this relationship, The Sea is Quiet Tonight, which was published in 2016.
Mike was instrumental, along with author Adam Mastoon, in creating The Shared Heart, a book of photographs and stories that chronicled the lives of 40 GLBTQ youth. Both this and his memoir provided inspiration and guidance for countless GLBTQ adolescents and adults. He was also dedicated to the work of the Franciscan Nuns of the Christine Center in Wisconsin. He served on their board of directors and worked tirelessly to raise the funds needed for a new chapel. Mike was proud of his 29 years of sobriety; a shout out to all his PAUSE buddies of Orleans, MA.
Mike is survived by his loving husband Moe Melchiono and cat Jack. He is also survived by the following siblings: Joe, Dan, Jeanne, Judy, John and wife Erin, and Jeff and wife Allegra, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Tom, and in-laws Pat (Joe Ward), Carmen (Dan Ward), Chuck (Judy Milner) and close family friend Joan Martin. The family also acknowledges the deep compassion and care of friends Rosanne Annoni and Richard Hunt, Mike and Moe's adopted Cranberry Cousins, the Bartlett Family, and our goddaughter, Lily Olin.
A Memorial Service to Celebrate Mike's Life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike's memory may be made to "Mercy Beyond Borders" at www.mercybeyondborders.org attention Sister Marilyn Lacey. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for MICHAEL WARD
Tess Grande
August 7, 2020
Dear Mike,
Without you, I would not be the woman I am today. You exuded warmth and love while also challenging me to be my best self and helping me heal. Simply put, you made the world a better place. I carry the lessons I learned from you every day. While I can't imagine this world without you, I will always cherish the memories I have with you.
Mo, I am so sorry for your loss. When Mike spoke of your partnership, his eyes would light up even brighter than they already were. We are keeping you in our thoughts during this difficult time and sending you positive vibes.
Rest In Peace Mike ❤
Love,
Tess
Nancy Cronin
August 5, 2020
Dear Moe,
It saddens me deeply to learn that your husband and our friend, Mike, has died. He was such a beautiful human being!
Ever since 2009 when, at the Ridhwan School, I had voiced aloud the needs of the Kids in Nicaragua for an education, Mike had become an annual contributor. Through the non-sectarian charity, Mission of Hope, Mike had enabled 3 or 4 children to attend school every year by generously providing the $140.00 for each child. Mike knew that through his financial support Kids would receive the government-required uniform, a visit with a Pediatrician (and immunizations), a meal every day... and an education for the entire year! Even after I left the Ridhwan School in 2012, Mike and I remained in contact via email, and he continued to financially support those Little Ones that they might rise out of poverty and despair by means of this education. What a globally-involved, caring man! And you, Moe, were so fortunate to have shared life and love with Mike... as Mike was blessed to have you as his devoted life-partner.
Mike, on Earth you were kind, thoughtful, generous and empathic. You listened to others with your heart as well as with your wisdom. In death you'll forever live on in our cherished memories of you!
We'll miss your infectious laugh, your beautiful smile and twinkling blue eyes, and your warm "bear hugs." But we can hope to meet again in the Cosmic Unfolding of the Life-Death-Life cycle... and I know these will be immediate soul-recognition moments!
Wendy Olin
August 3, 2020
Dear Mike,
We are missing your presence more than we can say.
You were the best of the best. Our memories of you are a great comfort to us. We will remember you with joy in our hearts forever. Thank you for the love and laughter. We will carry on this tradition with Moe in your honor.
All our love always,
Wendy and Lily
Linda Cates
August 2, 2020
Dear Mike - Your humor and quick wit will live in my heart forever . . . for me, your spirit is akin to Jonathon Livingston Seagull - Break through the veil my friend, at warp speed. Much love and respect. Your Christine Center Board Partner!
Peg O'Malley
August 2, 2020
Mike always had a delightful sense of humor and charming smile. He was my on-stage suitor in my senior high school play which made me the envy of many classmates of 61!! He was a great guy and will be dearly missed by Moe, his loving family and many friends. He touched many lives as he journeyed through this world. May he Rest In Peace. Peg and Pat OMalley. Omaha Nebraska.
August 2, 2020
Dear Moe,
You were both blessed to have each other. And I am blessed to have you in my life. Warmest condolences.
Audrey
Robert Fierman
August 2, 2020
I did not know you that long or that well, Mike, but it was always a pleasure to be in your presence.
Michael Comeau
August 2, 2020
Dear Moe and friends,
Deepest sympathies, he was a great guy. Thinking of you.
john Schuster
August 2, 2020
In highschool in Omaha, he dated my sister Elaine Schuster, 4 years older than me, and his visits to our home were always filled with his fun and contagiious energy.
My mom loved having Mike around, he was a fovorite of hers and Elaine had full permission to hang out with this fun man, whom you could tell was going to have a life of impact and service.
Blessings Mike John Schuster
Daniel Layman
August 2, 2020
Mike was a very giving friend. I met him during his winters in Florida and got to know him really through his memoir, which so beautifully spoke to my soul about loss, love, and fighting on to live a good, full life. I will miss him, but am so glad he chose to share his life with others through his writings for the benefit of our life's journey and with his candid and moving lessons he learned and taught from his.
Cynthia Overstreet
August 1, 2020
Dear Sweet Mike,
Deep, everlasting gratitude for
your big hearted bear hugs,
your full bellied laugh,
your sweet baritone voice,
those gorgeous kind eyes,
your thoughtful insight in inquiries,
the gravitas of your presence - powerful
yet also soft,
the marriage of love and strength that
reminds us what true men are made of.
May who we truly are, Know through the one shared Heart,
that who you truly are,
cannot be lost.
With love and more love,
Cynthia Overstreet
August 1, 2020
Sweet Mike,
Deep, everlasting gratitude for
your big hearted bear hugs,
your full bellied laugh,
your sweet baritone voice,
those gorgeous kind eyes,
your thoughtful insight in inquiries,
the gravitas of your presence - powerful
yet also soft,
the marriage of love and strength that
reminds us what true men are made of.
May who we truly are, Know through the one shared Heart,
that who you truly are,
cannot be lost.
With love and more love,
August 1, 2020
A delightful man I wished I would have had more time to get to know better. He was an inspiration on the Board. We miss you.
Sherryl Andrus
Christine Center Board
Gabriele Uhlein / Christine Center
August 1, 2020
I will miss his vibrant spirit was among us, embodied in that fabulous laugh of his, and his witty, happy, compassionate, rich and alive living presence. I take consolation in that his spirit is no no longer physically limited by time and geographic location. Now those that love him and counted on him have a new mantra --- St. Mike, help one and all!
My deepest condolence to Moe and all those who will be missing Mike's everyday presence!
Our Christine Center hearts are grieving with you.
All my love and deepest respect.
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