John M. Ward

Jack was born in Pittsburgh, PA on March 1, 1930, to parents Felicitas (Hamm) Ward and John Robert Ward. He grew up in the Spring Hill and Morningside areas of Pittsburgh, with his siblings Teresa, Claire, Jean, Patricia, and Tom. Jack graduated from Connelley Vocational School in Pittsburgh before entering the US Army in 1952. After basic training in Indiantown Gap, PA, Jack was stationed in France and Germany as part of the post-WWII occupational force and worked his way up to corporal before an honorary discharge in 1954. Upon returning to Pittsburgh, Jack joined Duquesne Light Company, working in the Transmission and Distribution Underground division. He started as a cable splicer and ultimately became a supervisor, working with his team on multiple projects including the installation of the power plants for the Pittsburgh International Airport. Along the way, he was introduced to Elizabeth “Bebe” Ward at her college graduation party in 1962, after which they started dating. A short 2 years later they married in 1964 and started a wonderful life together, raising three sons. After 38 years at Duquesne Light, Jack retired, opening the door to his next chapter in life – 18 wonderful years with his Bebe in Deep Creek Lake, MD.

Jack enjoyed 58 years of marriage with Bebe, and they enjoyed traveling with the boys, bowling, watching the Steelers, and a never ending passion for boating and waterskiing. He spent his entire life enjoying the sport as well as teaching all his family and friends how to ski the three rivers of Pittsburgh, Deep Creek Lake, and many other venues. He waterskied until he was 78 years old.

Jack is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth “Bebe” Ward of Cranberry Township, PA, along with sisters Jean Ward of Pittsburgh, PA, and Patricia Yockel of Valencia, PA. He is also survived by three sons and their families, John R Ward of Conshohocken, PA, Jim and Sara Ward of St Louis, MO, and Marty and Michelle Ward of San Jose, CA, along with five grandchildren, Caroline, Chloe, and Elijah Ward of St. Louis, MO, and Aidan and Cameron Ward of Tempe, AZ. Jack also had three other siblings who entered heaven ahead of him; Teresa Hughey, Claire Behr, and Thomas Ward.

In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in Jack’s name.

Visitation will be held at the H.P. Brandt Funeral Home from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 1032 Perry Highway, in Ross Township, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Athanasius Church on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at 10 am, at 7 Chalfonte Avenue in West View, Pittsburgh, PA 15229 to be followed by a full military burial at 12:30 pm at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies at 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brandtfuneralhome.com for the Ward family.