Edward R. Ward Sr.

Edward R. Ward, of Levittown, PA, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2017, surrounded by his loving children and family at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia. He was 87.Edward was born on July 12, 1929, in West Philadelphia and raised in the Mayfair Section of the City. Edward attended Saint Matthew Elementary School and later North Catholic High School, where he excelled at football. In 1948 Edward enlisted in the U.S. Army where he participated in the postwar occupation of Germany before being deployed to Korea where he fought in the Korean War. Edward was honorably discharged in 1952, and in 1953 Edward moved to Levittown where he was an original homeowner in the Holly Hill Section. In 1957 Edward joined the Bristol Township Police Department where he would work for the next 28 years, retiring as a Detective in 1985. Edward was highly decorated during his lengthy service which included his becoming the first polygraph examiner in Bucks County and one of the first juvenile officers. Despite all of his accomplishments, he was proudest of his contributions made working with juvenile offenders and at risk youth as he continued to volunteer with Bristol Township's Youth Aid Panel well into the 2000's. Although Edward was also briefly a Bucks County Detective, his second career was as a school police officer with the Harry S. Truman High School, Levittown, where he worked from 1985 to 1995. He left a lasting legacy of consistently being tough yet fair with thousands of students over the decade which, despite his stern appearance, resulted in his inability to go anywhere without being approached and asked "Hey Mr. Ward, do you remember me?" by one his former students who wanted to share how well they were doing now. Edward was the quintessential member of the Greatest Generation, he was a modest, humble, hardworking man, often of seldom words, who quietly embodied the character, strength and stability which he imparted to the large family he created. Edward was immensely proud of his family and considered it his most important accomplishment. Edward was a devout Catholic and a communicant of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish for over fifty years. Edward had special devotion to Saint Padre Pio, whose quote, "Pray, hope and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer," Edward often recited and comforted himself and his family with during his courageous battle with cancer. Edward is survived by his beloved wife, Teresa E. (Taylor) Ward of 64 years, and is the loving father of Teresa M. Clark (John), of Nanticoke, Kathleen R. Gainer (Michael) of Levittown, Edward R. Ward Jr., of Levittown, Daniel Ward (Christine) of Lower Makefield, and Henry P. Ward (Susan), of Levittown. He will be greatly missed by his fifteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, his sister, Dolores DeVincentis (the late Jack), of Philadelphia, many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Family and friends are invited to call Tuesday, January 31st, from 9:00 until 10:30 AM at Saint Michael the Archangel Church, 66 Levittown Parkway, Levittown, where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM. A funeral procession will form at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1st, at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown, PA, for interment at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bucks County Heroes Scholarship Fund, 1760 Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18901.