Tribute & Message From The Family
Loving Father, Grandfather, and Brother
Kenneth Ward, 78, husband, father, merchant, historian, of Westfield, passed away peacefully at home on August 7th after a 16 month battle with brain cancer. Ken was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University in 1964, and earned the rank of Captain in the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. In 1966, he married Margaret McAllister of the same college class, and in 1975, the couple and their two children, Bill and Jane, moved to Westfield.
Ken had a successful career for more than 2 decades as an executive at National Utilities Industries, Inc. (Elizabethtown Gas Company) and was dedicated to serving the community his entire life. Combining his love of teaching, storytelling and his vast knowledge of history, he loved his work as president and lecturer of the Elizabeth Historical Society. He was also active with the Sons of the American Revolution, the non-profit Elizabeth Development Corp, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, and served in many capacities at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Westfield, including Warden.
For more than 35 years, Ken and Margaret ran a successful merchant business that was handed down to them and will continue to the next generation.
Ken's beloved wife Margaret passed away in 2018. He is survived by his son Bill and wife Amber of New York City, and daughter Jane and her husband John of Knoxville, TN; his sister Alison of Quadra Island, British Columbia, and brother Tom of Edmonton, Alberta; and four grandchildren, Evelyn, Beckett, Eleanor, and Lena.
Services will be at 2pm Saturday September 18, 2021 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 414 E. Broad Street, Westfield. Burial will follow in the Garth of St. Paul's, with reception thereafter.
Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Music at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at https://stpaulswestfield.org/give/.
Arrangements are Gray Funeral Home, Westfield. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.
Condolence & Memory Journal
We will miss our friend Ken and deep condolences to his family for your loss. He was a kind and thoughtful person that will be very missed. His passion for history and jewelry was unparalleled. Liza and I counted on his advice over the years for all our jewelry needs and he always delivered stunning work. He was honest and always had so much knowledge to share ...a true educator at heart.
Rest In Peace Ken...we were so glad to have met you and Margaret.
Matt and Liza Ruple
Posted by
Matt Ruple - Friend September 19, 2021
DINU, Govind Bhadresa. RIP
Posted by
G B - Red Deer September 18, 2021
It is with heavy hearts that my fiance Hilal and I hear the news of Ken's passing. Ken found us our engagement ring, and we loved every minute of the experience. A storyteller, historian, and gemologist Ken was a treasure. We miss him dearly.
Posted by
Joseph Petrozziello - Garwood, NJ - Friend September 16, 2021
The entire New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution sends its deepest sympathy to the family of Compatriot Ward. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by
Charles Morgan - Pres. NJSSAR - Absecon, NJ September 16, 2021
I am very sorry to hear of Ken's passing. I had the good fortune to work with him for many years at Elizabethtown Gas. I always enjoyed his wry sense of humor and entertaining historical anecdotes. May he rest in peace.
Posted by
ken maloney - Fairfax, VA - Coworker September 08, 2021
Ken has been a wonderful neighbor for 28 years. I could rely on him to know what was going on in the neighborhood and he was always the first to get to know the new neighbors. We shared a mutual interest in genealogy and his knowledge of history was amazing. We have missed Margaret and now will miss having Ken just a short walk across the street. My sympathies to his family. He loved you and talked about all of you all the time.
Posted by
Carol Barnes - Westfield, NJ - Neighbor September 01, 2021
My prayers and thoughts are with the Ward family. Ken was a giver and friend on our family! May he Rest In Peace. St. Paul's will not be the same without him.
Posted by
Alfred Morasso - Westffield, NJ - Family Friend August 19, 2021
So very sorry to hear about Ken's passing. His love of history and indomitable intelligence will be very missed at the Historical Society among so many other places in our community. We are so truly saddened to hear this news.
Posted by
Robert Wendel - Westfield, NJ - Friend August 14, 2021
My deepest sympathy to Ken's children and grandchildren on the loss of such a distinguished man. Conversations with him always rose above the commonplace and showed sophistication and deep understanding of the world and the human condition. His knowledge of the world and local history never ceased to amaze me--and I have a Ph.D. in history. He shored his knowledge with school children and adults alike. We also enjoyed music and the concerts at St. Paul's. He is greatly missed. James Hewitt, Mountainside, NJ, August 12, 2021.
Posted by
James Hewitt - Mountainside, NJ - Friend August 12, 2021
My condolences and prayers are with him and his family members. He was a great friend and wonderful mentor. He will be sorely missed, but he has left wonderful memories behind him that he unselfishly shared with all of us.
Cheers to Ken.
Posted by
Arthur (Chuck) Hunnewell - Red Bank, NJ - Friend August 10, 2021
