Laconia- Ward P. Bates, 94, of the Taylor Home died at Lakes Region General Hospital on Sunday, July 31, 2011.
Ward was born November 27, 1916 in Hartford, Connecticut, the son of
Agnes and George Bates. Ward graduated from Kingswood High School and Trinity College,both in Hartford, Connecticut and went on to earn his masters degree. He served with the U.S.Army as a captain stationed in Hawaii in WWII and spent many winters there with his wife, Jane, in later years. Jane was his childhood sweetheart and they were married May 1, 1943. Ward and Jane resided in Washington, D.C. where he taught at Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland. During the summer months, he worked at Camp Wachusett where he enjoyed hiking, teaching swimming and instructing water skiing on Little Squam Lake. In 1962, Ward and Jane moved to Edina, Minnesota where he taught 7th grade English at Blake School until 1976 at which time he changed careers and became a realtor with the Realty Center in Edina. Ward enjoyed teaching, bird watching and traveling. He was also an avid reader from early childhood until his death.
Ward lost his wife of sixty years in 2003.
Ward is survived by his daughter, Susan Bruinekool, and her husband, Dave, of Thornton, New Hampshire and his son, Ward Bates Jr., and his wife, Marcia, of Westminster, Colorado.
Ward enjoyed his last 6 years at the Taylor Community participating in all of the activities available and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.
A Graveside Service was held at the family lot in Trinity Cemetery, Holderness, N.H.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.