John F. Ward Jr

With deep sadness we announce the passing of John F. Ward, Junior, at the age of 83 on January 4, 2026, at the Cates Hospice House in Ocala, Florida. John was a kind and generous man who enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, playing golf, and serving his community. He was deeply loved by his family and friends.

John was born November 16, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, to Mary Dyer Ward and John Francis Ward, Senior. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Margaret Ward of Ocala, Florida; his daughters, Cristina Ward of Windermere, Florida, and Monica McPhee and her husband, Mark, of Ocala, Florida; his grandsons Ryan McPhee and Brody McPhee of Ocala, Florida; his younger brother Christopher Ward and his wife, Linda, of Holbrook, New York; and his nieces Kimberly Ward and Danielle Rivet and nephews Jeffrey Ward and Keith Rivet. He was predeceased by his parents and younger sister Mary Ellen Rivet.

John grew up in Queens, Tupper Lake, and Babylon, New York, and lived in Babylon and Flushing, New York, as a young adult. He married his wife, Margaret, in 1968 and they relocated to Miami, Florida, in 1970. John and his wife relocated to Gainesville, Florida, in 1996 and then Ocala, Florida, in 2007.

He worked as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service in Suffolk County, New York, and served as President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 4899. John was also a Volunteer Firefighter for the Babylon Fire Department. He attended Baruch College. He transferred to the University of Miami and later graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1972. He worked as an accountant and later attended Florida International University, graduating with a Masters of Science in Management in 1977. John was a Certified Public Accountant and was self-employed for decades, providing accounting services to clients across the state of Florida.

John was a Catholic who most recently attended Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida. He exemplified his faith through community service. He was actively involved with Kiwanis International for almost 30 years, including distinguished service as President of the Kiwanis Club of Southwest Miami and as Lieutenant Governor for one of the divisions of the Florida District.

John spent many years as a volunteer providing pro bono financial services to the Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida in Miami. He was awarded the Thanks Badge, the highest honor in Girl Scouts, recognizing his outstanding service to the organization. He also received the Florida's Finest Certificate of Appreciation from the Florida Governor's Office in August 1996 to honor his years of service to the Girl Scouts.

John volunteered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami for many years and assisted in the formation of the Alpha-1 Foundation in Coral Gables, Florida. He has provided in-kind and financial contributions to Brother's Keeper in Ocala, Florida, for many years.

No services will be held; the family plans to scatter John's ashes at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in John's memory to Hospice of Marion County.