Donald “Don” J. Ward, 80, died unexpectedly on November 8, 2022 doing one of the many things he enjoyed so much in life, traveling and exploring new places. He was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Hilda R. Ward. They truly believed they were each other’s soul mates as life for them took on a new meaning when they found each other.
Don was born on June 20, 1942, in Portland, Maine, to Donald H. and Barbara R. Ward. He leaves a loving sister, Linda Cleaves, and her husband Rodney, of Greenville, ME, their 2 daughters and their children. He was predeceased by his younger sister, Karen E. Ward.
Don attended Cape Elizabeth High School in 1959 in Cape Elizabeth, ME and later went on to obtain his license as a Master Electrician. In 1965, he was a member of the Ballardvale United Church in Andover, MA. Don was instrumental in installing the new Church’s electrical system and church bells. He was fortunate at having had a wide range of opportunities, allowing him to enjoy a variety of occupations over the years. When he lived in MA, he was a Master Electrician, Electrical Inspector for the Town of Andover, MA, and a Police Officer. Once he moved to Ft. Myers, FL, he was an Electrical Inspector, Acting Building Official, Fire Inspector, and finally as Fire Marshal for the City of Fort Myers for 16 years. He was always up for the challenge!
As a gifted craftsman, woodworker, and carver, he enjoyed working on special woodworking projects. He created many personalized gifts he loved sharing with his family and friends. He loved traveling, hiking, skiing and exploring new places with his wife and family. He never backed down from any adventure that came his way, from white water rafting to zip-lining! He often joked with his wife and friends that most of his adventures seemed to require a helmet!
Don was so proud of his sons, James Ward (wife Melina) of Methuen, MA and Thomas O’Nan (wife Kelly) of Fort Myers, FL. He dearly loved his daughters, Jacqueline Hollenbeck (husband Brian); Jennifer Gardner (husband David Sr.) of Methuen, MA; Jessica Owens of Hixson, TN; and Rebecca Foss of Fort Myers, FL.
He treasured his nine grandchildren, Michael J. Ward (Kasia), Lauren E. Hurst, Devon Hurst (Allison), Madeline P. Hurst, Jessica E. Ferris (Glen), David Jr. Gardner (Kasey), Zachary Foss, Kyle P. O’Nan, Zoey N. O’Nan; and blessed with six great-grandchildren.
Don chose to be cremated, preferring not to have a memorial service. His family will gather in the spring to spread his ashes and share memories along the water of the Two Lights lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, ME. He spent many years there with his loving grandparents. He had beautiful memories of his younger years there. He worked the lobster traps with his grandfather, cooked with his grandmother, spent time with family, friends and cousins, enjoying life by the sea.
Please consider donating in Don’s honor at one of his favorite charities: The Wounded Warrior Project, the Disabled American Veterans and the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
His children wish to pay tribute to their father with the following poem:
Our Father's Garden
Our Father kept a garden.
A garden of the heart;
He planted all the good things,
That gave our lives their start.
He turned us to the sunshine,
And encouraged us to dream:
Fostering and nurturing
The seeds of self-esteem.
And when the winds and rain came,
He protected us enough;
But not too much because he knew
We would stand up strong and tough.
His constant good example,
Always taught us right from wrong;
Markers for our pathway that will last a lifetime long.
We are our Father's garden,
We are his legacy.
Thank you, Dad; we love you and will miss you greatly.
Online condolences may be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com.
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.