Jerome Ward
North Stonington — Jerome “Jerry” P. Ward, 95, of North Stonington, surrounded by his family, peacefully passed away Feb. 16, 2023. A member of the Greatest Generation, Jerry was born in Brooklyn N.Y., on Christmas Eve in 1927 to Marie (Gilbert) Ward and Patrick Joseph Ward. He was recently predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Margaret M. Dunlavey. She was Jerry’s childhood sweetheart having met her in seventh grade.
Jerry’s family moved to Manhattan when he was a young boy. A true New Yorker, growing up, he and his brothers had the run of The City. He lived there until he joined the Merchant Marine during World War II in September 1944 as a young man of 15. After the war, Jerry continued to serve his country as an enlisted seaman in the United States Navy. Serving 21 years and reaching the rank of senior chief petty officer, Jerry retired from the Navy in 1965. Upon retirement, he and Margaret moved their family to Cedar Ridge in North Stonington. He then started his second career as a technical writer at Electric Boat. An active member of the Technical Writers Union, Jerry retired from EB after 20 years in 1985.
Jerry was, most of all, devoted to his family. No matter where he was stationed as a Navy man, Jerry would pack up his family for the holidays and summer vacations and travel to New York City or to Quebec to spend those important times with family. He adored his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He would often take his grandchildren on rides in the country and pretend to get lost. Then they would have to find their way back home; a great adventure!
Jerry enjoyed many hobbies; he was an avid reader, a selftaught calligrapher, a gardener, a writer and a beautiful story teller. Jerry and Margaret were members of the North Stonington Senior Center and often
took part in the Center’s activities including many trips in the States and abroad. He served as president of the Cedar Ridge Water Association for many years. He also volunteered for the North Stonington Meals on Wheels program. He was a communicant at St. Thomas More Church.
Besides his wife, Jerry was preceded in death by his brother Kenneth; and sister Nancy Ward. He is survived by his sisters, Patricia and Irene; and brothers, John and Joseph; his children: Kathleen (Alan) Hoiseth, Geraldine (Louis) Gingerella, Kevin Ward, Richard Ward and Christine (Dean) McNeil; his grandchildren: Janine, Nicholas and Tyler Hoiseth, Matthew (Heidi) Gingerella, Lauren (Matthew) Callahan, Stephen Gingerella, Spencer, Thomas and Alison Ward, Brenna and Dhannon McNeil; his great-grandchildren: Aiden Yingling, Luke, Jack, Hunter, and Lucille Gingerella, Angelina and Josephine Callahan; and many loving nieces and nephews as well.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the wonderful and loving care given by Masonicare nurses and Hospice personnel — especially Julia and Jackie! In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s memory can be sent to Masonicare Home Health and Hospice, 309 Otrobando Ave., Norwich, CT 06360.
A Celebration of a Life well lived will be held Friday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, his favorite holiday as well as his mother’s birthday, at the Mystic Funeral Home on Route 1 in Mystic. His family will receive relatives and friends at 2 p.m. with the service at 3 p.m. In the near future, a service with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery — Jerry and Margaret’s final resting place. Our memories of our loving Daddy, Dad, Pop Pop, and Big Pop Pop will gently carry us through this sad time. God bless him, sweet dreams and may he rest in eternal peace.