Obituary for Leonard J. Ward
Leonard J. Ward of Essex Junction, Vermont (May 29, 1937 - May 8, 2021) – Leonard, age 83, a long-time resident of Essex Junction, passed away at the McClure-Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vermont on Saturday, May 8, 2021. He was born in Burlington, Vermont on May 29, 1937 to the late Howard and Theresa (Fournier) Ward.
Leonard graduated from Burlington High School in 1956 and went on to marry the love of his life, Dale (Boucher) Ward on November 28, 1957. Together they had five children.
Leonard was employed at: Sikorsky Aircraft in Connecticut from 1956 - 1957, General Electric in Burlington, Vermont from 1957 - 1962, AVCO-Lycoman Division in Connecticut from 1962 – 1964, and IBM in Essex Junction, Vermont from 1964 – 1993.
In 1993, Leonard retired from IBM and he and Dale decided to spend their winters in Florida. They very much so enjoyed living in the warmer climate where they were able to get outside every day and socialize with other “snowbirds” in their park. When Dale passed away in 2002, Len continued to travel back and forth from Vermont to Florida until 2018 when he decided that he wanted to be close to all of his children so he sold his Florida home and moved back to Vermont year-round.
Leonard loved playing shuffleboard and he loved playing cards, but most of all he loved walking and talking to anyone and everyone. He was the ultimate social butterfly and was always wandering from house to house checking in on his neighbors and making sure they were ok. He was always there ready to help anyone in need. His mind was brilliant, sharp, and witty; his heart was loving, caring, and generous; his laughter was loud and contagious. He will be deeply missed by everyone who’s path he crossed and who’s life he touched.
Leonard is predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Dale; his son, Leonard Ward Jr; and his granddaughter, Jenna Ward. He is also predeceased by his parents, Howard and Theresa Ward; his brothers: Howard, Robert, Donald, Carl; and sister, Charlene. He is predeceased by his parents-in-law, Homer and Mabel Boucher; his brother-in-law, Dave; and his sister-in-law Darlene Arel.
Leonard is survived by his four children and their spouses: Jim (Laurie) Ward; Tim (Beth) Ward; Tracie Cole (Scott Carroll); Tom (Kelly) Ward. He is survived by his (18) grandchildren: Taylor (Miranda) Ward; Jordan (Amanda) Ward; C.J. (Rachel) Cole, II; Andy (Nikki) Cole; Ryan (Jenna) Carroll; Joshua (Kristen) Ward; Justin (Tori) Ward; Kaitlyn (Jeff) Ward; Taylor (Alex) Ward Russell. He is survived by his (13) great grandchildren, Everleigh, Amelia, Jakob, Alex, Clara, Nora, Joanna, Keagan, Owen, Leo, Mason, Lincoln, Eleanor. He is survived by his sisters-in law, Cecile, Mary, Sue; and his brothers-in-law, Ernie Norris; Elmer Arel as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends near and far.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 132 Main St., Winooski, VT 05404.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church with Reverend Charles Ranges S.S.E. officiating. This service will be live streamed on: https://www.hfslvt.org/live-stream-button for anyone who cannot attend the service in person.
Burial will follow in the Resurrection Park Cemetery, 200 Hinesburg Rd, South Burlington, VT 05403.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Leonard’s memory to: Essex Rescue, Inc., 1 Educational Drive, Essex Junction, Vermont 05452.
Leonard graduated from Burlington High School in 1956 and went on to marry the love of his life, Dale (Boucher) Ward on November 28, 1957. Together they had five children.
Leonard was employed at: Sikorsky Aircraft in Connecticut from 1956 - 1957, General Electric in Burlington, Vermont from 1957 - 1962, AVCO-Lycoman Division in Connecticut from 1962 – 1964, and IBM in Essex Junction, Vermont from 1964 – 1993.
In 1993, Leonard retired from IBM and he and Dale decided to spend their winters in Florida. They very much so enjoyed living in the warmer climate where they were able to get outside every day and socialize with other “snowbirds” in their park. When Dale passed away in 2002, Len continued to travel back and forth from Vermont to Florida until 2018 when he decided that he wanted to be close to all of his children so he sold his Florida home and moved back to Vermont year-round.
Leonard loved playing shuffleboard and he loved playing cards, but most of all he loved walking and talking to anyone and everyone. He was the ultimate social butterfly and was always wandering from house to house checking in on his neighbors and making sure they were ok. He was always there ready to help anyone in need. His mind was brilliant, sharp, and witty; his heart was loving, caring, and generous; his laughter was loud and contagious. He will be deeply missed by everyone who’s path he crossed and who’s life he touched.
Leonard is predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Dale; his son, Leonard Ward Jr; and his granddaughter, Jenna Ward. He is also predeceased by his parents, Howard and Theresa Ward; his brothers: Howard, Robert, Donald, Carl; and sister, Charlene. He is predeceased by his parents-in-law, Homer and Mabel Boucher; his brother-in-law, Dave; and his sister-in-law Darlene Arel.
Leonard is survived by his four children and their spouses: Jim (Laurie) Ward; Tim (Beth) Ward; Tracie Cole (Scott Carroll); Tom (Kelly) Ward. He is survived by his (18) grandchildren: Taylor (Miranda) Ward; Jordan (Amanda) Ward; C.J. (Rachel) Cole, II; Andy (Nikki) Cole; Ryan (Jenna) Carroll; Joshua (Kristen) Ward; Justin (Tori) Ward; Kaitlyn (Jeff) Ward; Taylor (Alex) Ward Russell. He is survived by his (13) great grandchildren, Everleigh, Amelia, Jakob, Alex, Clara, Nora, Joanna, Keagan, Owen, Leo, Mason, Lincoln, Eleanor. He is survived by his sisters-in law, Cecile, Mary, Sue; and his brothers-in-law, Ernie Norris; Elmer Arel as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends near and far.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 132 Main St., Winooski, VT 05404.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church with Reverend Charles Ranges S.S.E. officiating. This service will be live streamed on: https://www.hfslvt.org/live-stream-button for anyone who cannot attend the service in person.
Burial will follow in the Resurrection Park Cemetery, 200 Hinesburg Rd, South Burlington, VT 05403.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Leonard’s memory to: Essex Rescue, Inc., 1 Educational Drive, Essex Junction, Vermont 05452.