John "Jack" Ward

John (Jack) P. Ward

Passed away peacefully on August 26, 2014. Jack was born in San Francisco's Mission district on September 2, 1924. He was a graduate of St. Paul's Elementary School, Sacred Heart High School and the University of San Francisco class of 1948. He received his master's degree in education from San Francisco State University in 1956. His career in education with the San Francisco School Department spanned 38 years. He also served overseas in the Army during 1946-1947.

Jack was a devoted and long time member of St. Dunstan Parish in Millbrae. He was a daily lector and Eucharistic Minister and instructed parents and god-parents in preparation for their childrens' baptism for over 25 years. He was a member of the Knight's of Columbus, the San Mateo Elk's Club, and the San Mateo County Saint Vincent DePaul Society. In 2002, Jack and his wife, Catherine, received the Ozanam Award from the St. Vincent DePaul Society. Jack enjoyed the camaraderie among his fellow retired colleagues, and friends through his memberships with SIRS, the Irish Cultural Center and the Friday Golf Group. He delighted in supporting both his grand- and great-grand children in their activities. He was an avid reader, stretching his cups of coffee to get his day's fill of news.

He was a loving husband to Catherine Ward for 63 years; father to Dennis Ward, Theresa Ward, and Patrick Ward (Laurel); grandfather to Linda Ward (Bishop Ross) and Sarah Ward; great grandfather to Dominick and Damion Ward-Ross; and brother-in-law to Eva Ward. He is survived by many nieces and nephews: Walter James Selby III, Paul Phalen (Kathleen), Phillip Selby, Cynthia Dugan, Mark Ward (Debbie), Cathryn Taylor (Henry), Patricia Ward, and Paul Selby (Kimberly); and cousin to Mary Toomey Rock (Ron) from Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland. He is preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Gertrude Ward, sisters Gertrude Ward and Catherine Phalen, and brother Cmdr. James Ward.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the caregivers who provided him with loving and respectful care until the end including Mission Hospice of San Mateo.

Visitation will begin Monday, September 1, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. followed by the Holy Rosary at 3:30 p.m. at St. Dunstan's Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Dunstan's Church, 1133 Broadway in Millbrae. There will be a reception following at the El Rancho Inn Terrace Café, 1100 El Camino Real in Millbrae. Internment will be private. The family asks in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Dunstan's Parish, 1133 Broadway, Millbrae, 94030.