Jerry Ward

Jerry Ward, 62, of Sanford, died September 11 at the Maine Medical Center in Portland after a brief illness.He was born in Rumford on August 23, 1943, a son of John M. and Madeline (Brennan) Ward. He grew up in Houlton where he attended school and graduated from Houlton High School. He was also a graduate of L.A.Valley College in Van Nuys, CA.He served during the Viet Nam war in the US Navy and was a recipient of the Bronze Star.He worked in the trucking industry as a dispatcher for many years in California. He came to Sanford in 1989 and had been employed with the former Sprague Electric and with Sermatech in Biddeford, retiring in 2002.His family recalled what a warm hearted people person he was. They said he had an incredible sense of humor and was always ready with a joke. He was also devoted to animals.He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Rose (McBroom) Ward of Sanford, 8 sons, Darrell Criswell, Darwin Criswell, David Ward all of California, Davey Ward of Seattle, WA, Scott Sibley of Kennebunk, Ryan Ordway of Boston, MA, John Ward of Florida, Jerry Ward of Springvale, a daughter, Robin Greenlaw of Sanford, 3 sisters, Beth Silcott, Ginny Downie, Lorilyn Ward, all of California, 3 brothers, Del Thomas of Sanford, Daniel Thomas, Tim Ward, both of California, his stepmother, Jenny Barker of California, 7 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held on Tuesday (today) at 11 AM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. Burial will be in Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.Those planning memorial contributions are asked to consider the American Lung Association, 122 State Street, Augusta, ME 04330.Condolences may be expressed at tab to the left.