Obituary of Richard F. Ward

Richard F. Ward, 99, of Point Pleasant, passed away, Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the Claremont Care Center. Born in Motherwell, Scotland, to the late Joseph and Elizabeth McGovern Ward, he lived in Belleville and in 1974 went to Lavallette. In 1985 he moved to Highland Plaza, Toms River, where he was an active resident of the community. He has resided in Point Pleasant since 2006. A retired stationary engineer, Mr. Ward was employed by the International Union of Stationary/Operating Engineers for forty years. He later worked as a motel clerk for the Windjammer, Seaside Park, and also the Tradewinds, Lavallette. For fifteen years he volunteered for the Ocean County Judicial Program and was a friend of Bill W. His beloved wife, Margaret Plunkett Ward, predeceased him in 1973. Surviving are three sons and their wives, Richard & Hideko Ward of Hawaii, Francis & Dana Ward of San Antonio, TX, and Joseph & Beth Ward of NC; two daughters and their husbands, Mary Ellen & Francesco LaBruto of Point Pleasant and Marguerite & Kenneth Hacik of Colorado Springs; his sister, Elizabeth "Jo" McWilliams of Lavallette; twelve grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. Friends may visit from 2 - 4 p.m. & 7 - 9 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at the Pable - Evertz Funeral Home of Point Pleasant, 901 Beaver Dam Road. At 9:30 a.m., Friday, Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of Saint Martha, Point Pleasant, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. As an expression of sympathy, contributions made in his memory to either The Foodbank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties at www.foodbankmoc.org or the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org are suggested.