WARD, Michael Francis “Skipper” of West Roxbury, formerly of Mission Hill, May 1, 2023, just shy of his 82nd birthday. Beloved son of the late Arthur Ward, Sr. and the late Mary (Fitzsimmons) Ward. Skipper was the last living sibling to the late Mary Sullivan (Leo) of Jamaica Plain, Arthur “Sonny” Ward, Jr. of West Roxbury, Dorothy Higgins (Brian) of Chelmsford, Margaret Sullivan (Donald) of Quincy, Virginia Melvin (Paul) of Rockland, and Francis “Franny” Ward of West Roxbury. He is survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Skipper was a proud veteran of the US Marine Corp having served from 1959-1963. Skipper was a devoted son who put his career aside for over 10 years to be the full-time caretaker for his mother after she suffered a stroke. Following her passing, he re-made his career in the custodial department at the Mass College of Art. Skipper was a man of deep Catholic faith, praying the rosary daily and regularly attending Mass at Mission Church. Mission Hill will always be home to Skipper, and he loved telling stories of growing up there. Skipper was also an avid Boston sports fan - especially the Celtics. His family expresses extreme gratitude to the VA Dialysis team in Jamaica Plain, where his team provided not only excellent medical care, but became like family to him over the years. He will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered by many, and in particular by his niece, Jennifer Melvin (Sean) and her family of Rockland and Peter Gray (Colleen) and his family of Walpole.
Funeral from the William J. Gormley Funeral Home 2055 Centre St. WEST ROXBURY, on Saturday, May 6th from 8:00am-9:30am, followed immediately by a Funeral Mass in The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1545 Tremont Street, BOSTON at 10:00am. Relatives and friends invited. Interment at Mt. Benedict Cemetery, WEST ROXBURY. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Skipper’s memory to the Disabled American Veterans organization: www.dav.org. For directions and guestbook gormleyfuneral.com.