TEWKSBURY: Robert D. Ward, age 77, a resident of Tewksbury for 34 years, passed away on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at the Winchester Hospital.
He was the husband of Marilyn (Rice) Ward, with whom he celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on April 3, 2009.
Born in Charlestown on April 28, 1932, he was the son of the late James "Russell" Ward and the late Catherine (Wallace) Ward.
Robert was raised in Charlestown and attended Charlestown schools.
In 1949, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War with the Tank Company of the 30th Infantry. While serving in North Korea, he was captured during battle and held for several weeks as a prisoner of war.
He was awarded several decorations for his military service including the Army Occupation Medal (Japan), the Combat Infantry Badge, the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars.
Prior to his retirement in 1992, he was employed as a truck driver by Teamster Local # 25 for 38 years and had worked for the United Parcel Service in Watertown.
Mr. Ward resided in Charlestown and Malden until moving to Tewksbury in 1975.
In earlier years, he attended the Wilmington United Methodist Church.
Mr. Ward was a member of the Tewksbury American Legion Post # 259.
In addition to his wife, Marilyn, he is survived by two daughters, Nancy J. DiBlasi and her husband Daniel of Billerica and Lori A. Ward of Tewksbury; eight grandchildren, Robert Beaudoin and his wife Shaylah of Revere, Paul Marciello of Tewksbury, Steven Beaudoin of Winthrop, Matthew Beaudoin of Revere, Courtney Marciello of Billerica, Megan Beaudoin of Winthrop, Keri Marciello of Tewksbury and Christopher DiBlasi of Billerica; three great grandchildren, Alexis of E. Boston, Jayden, Zachary and Hailey all of Billerica.
Calling hours Thursday, Dec. 3rd, from 6-9 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 4th, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Tewksbury American Legion Post # 259, 180 Pond St., Tewksbury, MA 01876.