Published in the March 24, 2017 edition
MELROSE — James W. “Jim” Ward, 67, of Melrose, died March 15, 2017. Jim was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on November 30, 1949 to Joseph R. and June E. (Wainwright) Ward. He was raised in Brookline, and graduated from Brookline High School in 1967. In 1974, Jim married the love of his life, Marilyn R. (Noble) Ward, at St. James Church in Salem, MA. They settled in Melrose and raised their two sons, Nicholas and Kevin. Jim worked at Hood Coatings in Georgetown for 30 years. Jim was an avid baseball fan, and over the years baseball became a very important part of their family. He dedicated countless hours to the Churchill American Little League in Melrose. He spent 15 years volunteering for the league as a coach, and spent nine of those years as president. The championship trophy was even named the “Jim Ward Trophy.” In addition to volunteering with Little League, he also volunteered in the youth soccer and basketball programs in Melrose. In addition to his time with Melrose youth sports, Jim enjoyed gardening, building and fixing anything that need to be fixed. He loved helping others and was always the first person to volunteer to lend a helping hand. H is family will remember taking vacations with him up to Laconia, New Hampshire in the summertime. Above all else, Jim was a family man; he loved his family more than anything. He cherished his grandchildren, and was happiest when he was surrounded by family. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him. Visiting hours were held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose, on Sun., March 19, 2017. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home took place on Mon., March 20, 2017, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Incarnation Church, 425 Upham St., Melrose. Interment took place at Puritan Lawn Cemetery, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pitching in for Kids, 1 South Market Building, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02109 or to the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association, P.O. Box 55071 #15530, Boston, MA 02205.
