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John Ward Obituary
Bill Ward, 84, passed away on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
A son of the late John Ward and Elizabeth (Noah) Ward, Bill grew up in Tamaqua with James and Emily (Ward) Knowles and the Knowles Family.
He graduated from Marian Catholic High School in 1957 and completed a 10-year course at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia, and began his service at the Allentown Diocese. With the blessing of the Catholic church, Bill left the active ministry and married his beloved Jeanne (Bannish) Ward, with whom he spent 30 joyful years in her hometown of Westfield, MA before her passing in 2007.
Bill, who holds master's degrees in theology and psychology, continued his commitment to public service as the President and Chief Executive of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, where he spent 32 years as a leader in workforce development.
His greatest joy came from his children, Michelle (Matt) Trainor and Christopher J. Ward; his longtime partner, Patricia Furst; and especially his four-year-old granddaughter, Lila Jeanne Trainor.
Bill was a brother to Michael (Cathy) Ward, Jane (Joseph) Hovnanian, Jerry (Lorraine) Knowles, Donald Knowles, Ann Marie (Knowles) Price and the late George, Charles and Paul Ward and the late James Knowles Jr. He was a brother-in-law to Mitch (Karen) Bannish, James (Nancy) Bannish, Steven (Carlene) Bannish, Joan O'Brien, Robert Bannish, Carolyn (Mark) Mastroianni, Sally Bannish and Joan Bannish.
He was also predeceased by his father and mother-in-law, Henry and Jean (Gogulski) Bannish, and brothers-in-law Henry Bannish Jr., Fredrick Bannish and Peter Bannish. He also leaves behind many adored nieces and nephews.
Contribution in his name may be made to The Cancer House of Hope, www.chd.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Ward
4 Entries
Wendy Gonzalez
October 3, 2023
John Ward smile and charisma will forever be stamped in my heart. I remember my father and I spending one Easter with him and Michelle. We had a wonderful time. I wish I could find the picture. May his Soul Rest in Peace. Our condolences from the Gonzalez Family.
Kelly Aiken
October 2, 2023
To the Ward family -- I have so many fond memories of Bill while working together at the Regional Employment Board for almost 8 years. He truly believed in the power of people and relationships to get work done. He took the time to get to know us personally and always took an interest in our families. He supported us to find innovative solutions and his "can do" attitude even influenced the name of our first nursing workforce project -- Collaborating for the Advancement of Nursing: Developing Opportunities (CAN DO)! I will be forever grateful for the opportunities he gave me to shine and grow. He will be missed and always remembered! With love and gratitude,
Kelly Aiken
Joanne Sullivan
September 28, 2023
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Bruce Stebbins
September 28, 2023
Enjoyed the incredible opportunity to work with Bill during his years of leadership at the Regional Employment Board. He was incredibly supportive, collaborative and was always mindful that his work would help lift so many Western MA residents to find their career opportunities. He was always upbeat and optimistic and just a great person to be around. He was also generous with his time and willingness to offer guidance whenever asked. Condolences and prayers to his wonderful family.
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