Thursday, October 1, 2026
John Ward was a loving, quiet, steady presence – the kind of man who didn’t need to say much for people to know they could count on him. Calm, kind and dependable, he showed up for the people in his life in ways that truly mattered. His kindness and generosity were felt by everyone who knew him.
He was a devoted husband, father and a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force. At a young age, he married the love of his life, Opal, and together they built a life that began in Bangor, Maine, where he was first stationed. To those around them, they were often seen as a playful, bickering couple, but after 61 years of marriage, it was clear their bond ran deep. After her passing, it became obvious just how much of him was tied to her – he was never quite the same without her.
He was a fixer of all things – a master mechanic who could seemingly bring anything back to life. He had a natural understanding of how things worked, especially engines, and if something was broken, it often made its way to his driveway first. People relied on him not just because he could fix the problem, but because he always would.
More than anything, he was someone who took care of his people. No matter the time or the situation, he was the one who would show up. His family knew that if they needed him, he would be there – no questions asked.
He was also an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing, and he took great pride in his deer lease. Some of the most cherished memories were made during time spent at the lake house – simple, joyous moments surrounded by the people he loved most.
There were small, everyday routines that made him unmistakably him – mornings at the computer with powdered donuts and canasta, and the birthday phone calls his family came to expect each year. Those calls were never missed, and they meant more than he probably ever realized.
He enjoyed life in his own way – whether that was spending time at the casino or bowling with Opal, going to the gun range, or simply being present for the people he loved.
He didn’t need to be the loudest person in the room to leave an impression. His presence was felt in quieter ways – in the things he fixed, the calls he made, the help he gave, and the way he made sure the people around him were taken care of.
That is how John Ward will be remembered – steady, dependable, and always there when it mattered most.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Opal Ward; his son, Charlie Ward; his grandson, Jon Ward; and his son-in-law, Robert Hodges.
He is survived by his son, Johnny Ward; his daughters, Cairn Kay Baker and Beth Hodges; his son-in-law, Garry Baker; his grandchildren, Jennifer and Dustin Trimmier, Mandy Baker, Bobby Hodges, and Delaney Whitney-Hodges; and his great-grandchildren, Keegan Whitney-Hodges and Sadie Hodges.
