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Peter Ward Obituary
Born in Fort Lee, NJ, Peter moved to Spring Lake and graduated from St. Rose High School in Belmar in 1981 where he was a standout track and cross-country runner. He went on to earn a B.S. from then Monmouth College, where he also had a stellar running career and competed in both the Penn Relays and Millrose Games. His former coach wrote, "At Monmouth college Pete was the stimulus that made the track team a winner." After college he won many area road races at the Jersey Shore.
Since childhood, Peter was also a hiking enthusiast, exploring the trails along the Palisades in North Jersey. But his favorite stretch of wilderness was the Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz, NY where he spent happy summer days in his childhood. He would return regularly to those carriage trails along the Shawangunks up until the last few months of his life.
Peter worked for many years in the auto insurance industry, loved classic rock and swimming in the ocean. He had a compassionate nature. He was a devoted son, brother, cousin and a devout Catholic. His faith was cultivated by his parents and the vibrant parish community of Holy Trinity in Fort Lee. But perhaps his greatest joy was being uncle to nine nieces and nephews. He also cared deeply for the environment and animal welfare.
Peter was pre-deceased by his parents Peter and Antoinette (Sakievich) Ward. He is survived by his siblings: Helen Ward of Lee, Ma; John Ward of Brick, NJ; Christopher and Jennifer Ward of Brick, NJ; Katie (sister) and Luke Mason of Pine Bush, NY; Maggie Ward of Lee, Ma. and her husband Mike Lombardi; and Joseph and Emily Ward of Annapolis, MD; as well as nephews and nieces Lucas, Emma and Jake Ward; Ava Lopez; Frankie and Lucy Mason; and Pierce, Faith and Macy Ward.
A memorial mass will be held for Peter at St. Catharine's in Spring Lake, NJ on Monday, July 22nd at 10 am. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Monmouth County SPCA or Catholic Charities.
4 Entries
Ed Hendricks
July 21, 2024
I ran with Pete at Monmouth for 2 years. Pete was a great guy, good teammate and tough competitor. He made the team better and he made me better. We enjoyed a lot of successes together. I am so blessed to have known him. When I reflect back on those days, I always think how lucky we were to have Pete on the team. God Speed.
John Kuhi
July 20, 2024
Pete Ward leading the College Distance Medley at Penn Relays. Running 2:59 at 1200. Pete led the Monmouth College DM to victory at the following track meets: Delaware Indoor Invitational, Terrier Classic at Boston U, and Rutgers Relays
Richard Caponigro
July 20, 2024
To the entire Ward Family,
My prayers for comfort are streaming to you from Finland. Peter and I met when he transferred to St. Rose High School and we have been good friends since then. We ran so much together years ago with our favorite trails being in Allaire State Park. He loved it on those trails. Those runs led to me running WITH Peter to running after Pete in races because I could not match his strides after not too long on the roads.
Peter is deeply missed. I will miss his detailed emails of happenings in New Jersey and his sincere holiday and birthday greetings and much more.
Rest In Peace my friend.
Peter Ward the Shore Power!
That is what I used to call him when he was tearing up the road races.
Here is a pic of Pete and I running for Brookdale Community College way back in 1981. He was so fast!
Your friend,
Rich Caponigro
Peadar Ward
July 19, 2024
It so sad to hear of the passing of Peter. We have great memories of meeting the entire Ward family in Spring Lake in March 1980. May he rest in peace . Peadar and Marian Ward . Dublin.
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