Richard John Ward, age 88, of Duxbury, formerly of Centerville and Everett, died peacefully at home on January 3, 2012. He was the devoted husband of Eleanor Marie (Cahill) Ward. Born in Somerville, MA on December 9, 1923, he was a son of the late John F. and Helen (McGlinchy) Ward. He was educated in Everett and was a 1943 graduate of Everett High School. He then entered the United States Army Air Corp and proudly served with the 423rd Army Air Force Base Unit as a Corporal. He worked as an Engine and Airplane Mechanic and was recipient of the Victory Medal as well as the American Theater Campaign Ribbon. Mr. Ward then received his Funeral Director and Embalmers Degree from the New England Institute School of Sanitary Science and Embalming in 1946. He was a second generation licensed funeral director for the John F. Ward and Son Funeral Home in Everett for most of his life. Mr. Ward retired in 1988 at age 65 and moved to Centerville, MA. He recently moved to Duxbury. Richard enjoyed playing golf and was an avid sports fan. He loved traveling with his wife, especially cruising. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Everett, the B.P.O.E., and St. Vincent de Paul Society. As a true gentleman, he was affectionately known for the compassion he so generously showed to the many families he served as a funeral director. More importantly, he held a strong devotion to his family and friends alike. Besides leaving his wife Eleanor, Mr. Ward was the loving father of Kathleen M. Ward and her husband Raymond Waddington of Woodland, CA, Nancy W. Cole and her husband Philip Cole of Duxbury and Ellen Kontos and her husband Kevin Kontos of Boxford, MA. He was the cherished grandfather of Jessica Ann Kontos, Kevin Kontos, Jr., and John Henry Cole. The funeral will take place on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at 10:45 from the Cartmell Funeral Home, 150 Court St., Plymouth followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Church in Duxbury, MA at 11:30 a.m. Friends and relatives are welcome to celebrate his life at the Visitation at Cartmell Funeral Home on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will be in Mayflower Cemetery, Duxbury, MA Donations in his memory may be made to the Cranberry Hospice, Inc, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 326, Plymouth, MA 02360.

Funeral Home:
Cartmell Funeral Home
150 Court St.
Plymouth, MA
US 02360