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Patrick Ward Obituary
WARD, PATRICK DANIEL - of Egg Harbor Township, passed away October 31, 2008 after a long, and very courageous battle with cancer. A veteran of the Korean War, Pat was proprietor of the Shamrock Cafe (Wildwood, NJ) for over 30 years and created a legend that entertained scores of vacationers and gave employment to hundreds of young people. Born July 25, 1928 to Cornelius and Catherine Ward (deceased) in Vineland, NJ. Survived by Elizabeth (nee O'Brien), his wife of 54 years and 6 daughters. Mary Pat and Aldo Palombo of Linwood, NJ; Elizabeth Scully of Egg Harbor Township, NJ; Eileen Roche of Flower Mound, Texas; Marie and Doug Zinno of Canton, Ohio; Kathleen and Chris Brown of Blue Bell, PA; and Theresa Ward and Michael Murray of Brooklyn, NY. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Colleen and Christopher Scully, Christin Palombo Morrow, Kimberly and Regina Palombo, Janelle and Ted Roche, John and Lindsey Zinno, Nora and Ian Brown, Jack Ward Murray and 1 great grandchild, Sydney Scully. Also survived by two sisters, Mary Mulligan, Collingswood, NJ, Sheila McPeak, Gloucester, NJ, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by two sisters, Catherine Ford, and Margaret McKernan, and a brother, Manus. An avid pilot, Pat restored a 1943 Stearman Navy trainer and was often spotted performing aerobatic stunts over the beaches of Wildwood. A generous man, Pat was known for his love of people, pranks and good times created by his unique Irish wit and master storytelling. Pat designed and built the home where Betty and he raised their family. Visitation for family and friends will be held Tue. Nov. 4 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Wed. Nov. 5 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernadette's Church in Northfield, NJ. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wed. Nov. 5. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Redeemer Home Care, 6550 Delilah Road, Egg Harbor Twp., NJ or the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, 500 Forrestal Rd., Cape May Airport, Rio Grande, NJ 08242. Arrangements entrusted to and condolences by be left for the family at Adams-Perfect.com.
Memories and Condolences
for Patrick Ward
Harry Brennan
October 28, 2024
To the best boss. A man who ran a tight ship, but he and his staff always had a good time and got the job done. Still telling stories of our summers at the Shamrock working with Pat Ward. A legend! Always in our thoughts.
Harry Brennan
Harry Brennan
October 28, 2022
Everytime I think of those Wild wild Wildwood days I remember some great summers working with some great people and Pat was always part of the best of those memories.
Missing those happy days and nights behind the bar at the Shamrock and some of the best years of my life. Thanks for the memories Pat, always in my thoughts.
Harry Brennan
Montreal, Canada
lindsey zinno
November 20, 2008
Grandpop, i miss you soooo much and even though its different now your still her somehow. Your watching over all of us. we have pictures of you and one in my room and when i look at the picture of you it makes me know your watching over me. I have been praying for you for the past couple years. And two weeks before oct.31 i was praying for you each night. I wish i could have said i better goodbye and to see you one last time. You will never be forgotten and i will never ever forget you. I love you with alll my heart.. love, lindsey
lindsey zinno
November 20, 2008
Grandpa was one of the best and nicest people in my family. And i loved him with all my heart. You are in my prayers grandpa and grandma and the rest of my family.
Pat Beckett
November 10, 2008
Dear Betty and family,
Pat Ward was one of a kind- a classic. No one who ever met him could forget him. He was a man’s man who loved his family, his friends, his work and his community. I was sorry to hear of his passing, but I am comforted knowing he is no longer suffering and in the warm embrace of his God. I hope that you can take some comfort in knowing how many lives he touched and how much laughter he spread. He will be missed. There will never be anyone else like him and he is so fondly remembered by so many people I am sure his legend will persist as long as people tell stories at the Jersey shore.
Like so many others, I worked for Pat at the Shamrock and enjoyed his company immensely. He was an incredibly generous man, in so many ways. He was one of the best storytellers I ever met and he shared his stories with anyone willing to listen. These stories were always entertaining and there were many lessons to be learned in them, if you were willing to listen carefully. He shared the wisdom he acquired over his life; he did it with his own special wit and charm and always with a welcoming sense that he was inviting you to join in his own tradition. This tradition embraced a love of life and a lighthearted joy of mischief that was so typically Irish, so typically Gloucester City, so typically Wildwood and uniquely Pat Ward.
Peter Ashton
November 6, 2008
Pat,
It was always a great time being around you. I have fond memories flying the Steraman around New Jersy. I'm sad to see another one of "The Greatest Generation" flying West.
Elaine Mulligan
November 6, 2008
Dear Aunt Betty and Ward Girls
I'm so sorry to hear about Uncle Pat. Unfortunetley, I could not make it to N.J. but I'm glad Pat was able to. I'm sure you understand with 3 kids and all. I met Uncle Pat on my 2nd date with Pat. We went down to Wildwood and he took us for many rides in the plane. Upside down, loops, hammerheads, it was a blast. Afterwards, we went out for some beers and lots of jokes and laughs with Uncle Pat. He was so warm and embracing, I knew then that I wanted to be a part of the Mulligan family. I will miss him dearly and always remember him every time we fly the airplane.
Joe Stockridge
November 6, 2008
Dear Mrs. Ward & Family,
I am deeply saddened by this news. The Ward family and the Shamrock will always hold a special place in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Christopher Scully III
November 5, 2008
Grandpop,
I would sincerely like to thank you for your deep devotion to our family. Your laughter, charisma, work ethics, and dedication that you carried within you, has laid the foundation for our wonderful family. I can’t even begin to think where we would be without you! You opened your doors and your heart to friends and family alike and provided us with the strength and spirit to persevere and overcome any obstacle within our lives.
Today was a hard day but it brings me extreme pride knowing you created this strong hearted family and gave us the chance once again to rejoice in all your memories, and I know they will never be forgotten. In recent years you provided me guidance, strength, wisdom, and several laughs. In my younger years you provided me with a place to call home and many fond memories as your Irish Air Force copilot, and those memories will stay within my heart for eternity!!!
I know for sure your soul and spirit will live on forever within our memories, and the evidence in held with in our smiles and laughter. Now every time I think of you I shed a tear which is quickly overcame by a smile. So cheers to you, Pat Ward, and just know that as I sit hear writing this finally goodbye with tears pouring down my face, that I love and admire you sooooooo greatly.
Jim Di Falco
November 5, 2008
My condolences to the family, Pat will be missed
Linda Fifer
November 5, 2008
Dear Liz,
Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your father. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
"The Hammonton Girls"
Tom "COS" Costello
November 5, 2008
The Ward Family:
I will always remember Pat fondly from our days together in Wildwood and the Shamrock. Bartenders are a wonderful group of people who love and respect each other.
Paul Kain
November 5, 2008
Dear Mrs. Ward, daughters and extended Ward family,
I am sad to hear of Pat's passing away this past Halloween; how appropriate that Pat, the consummate trickster and prankster, knocked on Heaven's door on such an Irish holiday. I'm sure he received his just 'treat' from St. Peter. Although never working for Pat, I did enjoy all his stories, the Shamrock, the Gloucester House, talking 'under the influence' with Mr. & Mrs. Ward on the porch of the bungalow, Pat's sister Catherine Ford and sons Sean and Connie - great memories. Your whole family is still well thought of and spoken of in Gloucester City, and the story of Pat flying his plane under the Walt Whitman Bridge is a favorite re-told at O'Donnell's Restaurant here.
God bless you all! It has been a pleasure knowing your family.
Paul Koch
November 4, 2008
To all the Ward Girls,
Although I wasn't an official Ward boy, It was hard not to feel like part of your family. I have only fond and happy memories of the time spent with all of you. As large as your dad lived, he raised some down to earth great girls. I'm sure he's looking down from heaven with a smile when he sees all of you.
Since original poems are welcome, I figured a good old-fashioned limerick would be appropriate.
Pat Ward was a man I once knew,
a business he made selling brew,
A bar did he run,
where we'd go have some fun,
and try to get lucky by two.
Our thought and prayers are with all of you. Paul and Cynthia Koch
Bob O'Brien
November 4, 2008
Dear Aunt Betty and the girls--We were saddened to hear the news of Uncle Pat. He was truly one of a kind, leaving us with many fond memories of the "Irish Air Force," the Shamrock, his "Iggles"--but mostly his pride in his family. Our most sincere condolences to you from all the O'Briens.
Michael "Mickey" Dugan
November 4, 2008
Dear Betty and Girls,
I was very sorry to hear of Pat's passing. He was absolutley one of a kind. You often hear how they threw out the mold when they made this one or that one but this time it was absolutley true. Just thinking back to my time at the Shamrock working for Pat (we actually had too much fun to call it work) makes me smile. Thanks for sharing him with us.
Mickey Dugan and Donna Braun
Rob Kinyoun
November 4, 2008
Pat,
Coming down to Wildwood with nephew Pat for some flying, and some laughs, was always the best. You were very generous with your airplane, experience, and time; and we impressionable young men were the better for it.
I'll toast to the West tonight.
Lisa and Allen Taylor (ODonnell)
November 4, 2008
Betty and Family,
We just want you to know that we are all sending our thoughts and prayers to you. There are so many found memories of Pat that it is hard to choose one. The years in Wildwood at the Shamrock were some of the best times ever. We were always there to share Pat's Irish wisdom, laughter and cheer. He was a great friend to everyone. May he always walk in green fields and when the sun shnes on our faces, we will think of Pat and look up to the sky and see the plane with the shamrocks on the wing gliding by.
From Ed Lex and family, Jim & Caroyln ODonnell and family
Richard O'Brien
November 4, 2008
Dear Aunt Betty and Family:
I wish to extend my deepest, most sincere condolences to you. I will miss uncle Pat, his warmth, the stories he told whenever I visited your home with my family; but mostly I will miss how Uncle Pat always had that look in his eye that made you feel as if he knew something you did not-- something blessed, something secret, something wonderful, and something funny beyond belief.
Here's to wishing that Uncle Pat will find comfort at last in God's all-loving embrace.
I am certain that Uncle Pat will keep the angels entertained until the rest of us see him again one day.
Bob Conroy
November 4, 2008
A great person and will be missed. From the good old days of Cape May County. My Condolences to the Family.
Debbie Cook
November 4, 2008
Liz ,
Know that I am thinking of you and am there whenever you need to talk.
I know what you feel, but eventually fond memories will have a way of easing the pain. You are in my prayers.
John Brennan
November 4, 2008
We celebrate Pat's life! I have many memories of my time in Wildwood... Pat touched my life. We were part of a family.
My thoughts are with you.
Carol & Joe Kane
November 4, 2008
Dear Betty and Family,
We have fond memories of Pat and the Shamrock Cafe. Best one was when John Gunther,Joe Kane and Pat went on the Sky Coaster on the Boardwalk. He loved it! We still have 141 East Lincoln Avenue house.
This year it was 60 years, same family 4 Generations in the House. We never sold, even though Mr. Morey wanted to buy the house and knock it down to make condos. Our children, Joseph Kane III, age 16 and
Caroline, age 13 love it in Wildwood. We still frequent the Shamrock. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Carol (Jurusz) Kane
Joe Kane
Kathleen Maguire
November 4, 2008
Dear Aunt Betty and Girls:
I am so sorry. When I heard the news my head was flooded with such wonderful memories of summers in Wildwood, Aunt Bett's spaghetti and sausage dinners after a long day on the beach, airplane rides with Uncle Pat and Christmases in Gloucester and all of our families coming together. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot come due to work commitments, but I will be there is spirit.
All my Love
Kathleen
Michael Nelligan
November 4, 2008
Mr. Pat Ward, a man I never met personally, but feel as though I did because of my friendship with his nephew, Pat Mulligan. Uncle Pat has flown west, I know he will live forever in his families broken hearts.
Theresa Ward
November 3, 2008
Dad,
You suffered in recent years and Mom took such good care of you. Thank you for the legacy of stories you left behind – ping pong balls on the golf course, cookie dough sandwiches, paging Angelo Bruno – they go on. Mick, Jack and I will really miss you. Jack is especially sad not see “Grandpa” anymore. He carries you in his heart now he says, so I can talk to you any time I miss you. I love you.
Eileen Roche
November 3, 2008
Oh Daddy, we loved you so! You filled our lives with joy, laughter and kindness. You opened the world of possibilities to us and we will never forget you.
Love,
Eileen
Kathy Livesey
November 3, 2008
The Shamrock was a favorite summer place to go to in the late 70's, early 80's, for me and college friends. Now to find out that the owner's daugher is Liz...WOW...it is such a small world....my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Liz and during this difficult time.
Mark Van Marck
November 3, 2008
I only new Pat for two summers working in Wildwood in '74 and '75. Some of my fondest memories are from those two summers. We used to talk about the great war aces of WW1 and he treated me to a flight in his bi-plane. A flight that scared the heck out of me but was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. He taught me how to bartend and have fun doing it. He also taught me to never underestimate an inebriated Irish poker player. Pat had a zest for life and he made a lasting impression on everyone he met. The world is a sadder place without him. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Tom Glock
November 3, 2008
Betty & Family, The stories are numerous, the memories are forever! I certainly have my favorites (flying over Scoop’s golf outing upside down dropping “free drink” ping pong balls is just one of them). I'm sure Pat would want us to remember and tell them forever; and I'm sure we will. He would also want us to smile upon him on this sad time of your life. I extend my deepest sympathies to you, the girls and the extended family.
Sincerely,
Jim Mulligan
November 3, 2008
Uncle Pat:
Thank you for all your guidance in everything and all the great stories. I will never forget them or you.
You and Aunt Betty always were great to me.
I will miss you!!! Jimmy
39000 feet PHL to MIA
Pat Mulligan
November 3, 2008
Uncle Pat, You influenced so many of us.
Harry Brennan
November 3, 2008
To a great Boss who taught us how to bartend, to always do a good job, enjoy our work, take good care of the customer and have fun while doing so. He was good mentor, our "Summer father" who always looked after his "Crew" and a good friend. A man that once you knew him you would never forget him. The memories are too numerous to count but they are always full of laughs. Going to miss that famous laugh AH,AH,AH,AH.
My sincere sympathies to Betty and the girls.
Harry Brennan
Montreal, Canada
Michael O'Brien
November 3, 2008
Dear Aunt Betty & Family,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of Uncle Pat. He was a remarkable man and I was privileged and proud to advertise "The Rock" with the many free t-shirts he provided to me back in the '80's. I was always impressed with your beautiful Wildwood Crest home and have shared countless stories about its grand design and state of the art technology with my close friends. Even my Internet/CellPhone/TXT Msg savvy children were impressed when I told them about the Ward’s infamous intercom system of the late 1960’s (they actually thought I was joshing them a bit). My fondest memories, however, were how he and Aunt Betty opened up their house to the Fairview O'Brien's each summer so that we could enjoy a needed respite from the city heat at the Wildwood Crest beach as well as memorable family get-togethers with Pop-Pop O'Brien, the CT O'Brien's, and all of the Ward girls for Thanksgivings and other occasions. Today, as an employee of a defense contractor, I am particularly proud of Uncle Pat’s service to his country during the Korean War and his enduring commitment to the field of aviation.
God Bless Uncle Pat & God Bless the Ward Family!
Love,
Mike O’Brien
marie zinno
November 3, 2008
We will miss you Dad. We love you.
Roland Roy
November 3, 2008
Another Wildwood legend passes away. Pat was all his obituary said he was. Very generous and well liked. My condolences to the surviving family, he will be missed.
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