SACO — Stanley Alden Ward, 98, of The Inn at Atlantic Heights, Saco, died peacefully at his home on July 9, 2015.
He was born July 8, 1917 in Cornish, son of Walter Jewel Ward and Laura Berdina Proctor Ward.
He was a graduate of Fryeburg Academy, Class of 1936, Baypath Institute, Springfield, Massachusetts, University of Michigan, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in geology, and Eastern Michigan University, where he earned a master’s degree and a SPA. He served in the Armed Forces from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1953. He retired as an Air Force major, having served on active duty and in the Reserves. He worked in the registrar’s office at the University of Michigan from 1950 to 1968 and held the same position at Eastern Michigan University from 1968 to 1981.
He was a member of the Ann Arbor Free Methodist Church, the Sons of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society
He was married to his first wife, Marion Eaton, of Groton Massachusetts for 54 years. They enjoyed a full life in Ann Arbor, Michigan with their two sons, Neal and Dale, before Marion’s death in 2002.
In 2003, Stan married Edith Joyce Brown of Ashby, Massachusetts and Prince Edward Island, Canada. Stan loved Edith’s island birthplace and spent every summer up to last year enjoying and improving the Marie, PEI homestead. Stan was embraced and adored by Edith’s two daughters, Priscilla and Heather, and appreciated time spent with their children and grandchildren.
Stanley’s wife, Edith, died June 23, of this year, leaving him greatly saddened. He is also preceded in death by: three sisters, Joyce, Charlotte and Louise.
He is survived by: two sons, Neal Ward and his partner Jim Jefferies of Tampa, Florida and Dale Ward and his partner, Leslie Belair of New Orleans, Louisiana; a grandson, Jonathon Ward; a sister, Helen Bailey and her husband, Lester of Andover; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by: stepdaughters, Priscilla Hanks and her husband Tim, and Heather Francis and her husband Rick, and their children and grandchildren who knew him as “Grandpa Stan.”
A committal service will take place at Arborcrest Cemetery, Ann Arbor, MI, Wednesday, July 15 at 1 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Bible Baptist Church, Saco, at a date to be announced. There will also be a joint memorial service for Stanley and Edith in Morell, Prince Edward Island later this summer.
Charitable contributions may be made to Bible Baptist Church, 146 Ferry Road, Saco, ME 04072.
Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.