Martin James Ward

November 15, 1948 – August 21, 2021

Beloved by those who knew him, Martin James Ward left us to be with our Lord on August 21, 2021 after losing a heroic fight with the Delta variant of Covid-19 despite being fully vaccinated. Brother, uncle, cousin, best man, dog whisperer, godfather, computer guru, police officer, bridge tender, Marty was many persons, but most of all a loving and loyal friend.

Son of the late Mary Frances and John Francis Ward, long time Commissioner of Purchases, Contracts and Supplies for the City of Chicago, Marty was born November 15, 1948 and a lifelong Chicagoan until 2004, when he moved to West Palm Beach, FL to be near his mother and two sisters. Raised from birth as one of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, he was a proud alumnus of St. Mary of the Woods ’63, Notre Dame High School for Boys ’67, and St. Joseph College (IN) ’71. He twice toured Europe as a member of the college choir before matriculating and returning to Chicago where he joined the Chicago Police Department, serving for 23 years. In Palm Beach, FL, he served many years as Eucharistic minister at St. Edward Catholic Church.

As a police officer assigned to the 17th District, Marty had numerous experiences, including serving as part of St. Pope John Paul II’s personal security detail during his visit to Chicago. An innate tinkerer with technology, he merged his fascination of the early development of computers with his police duties. Persuading the Department that computers could provide more efficient and effective police work, he was transferred to the Data Systems Division where he designed innovative programs to computerize the logging, storing, and tracking of evidence and to detect patterns of arsons used to predict likely future attacks. For these accomplishments he was awarded the prestigious Superintendent’s Award of Merit and was honored by a Resolution of the Chicago City Council. As the only sworn officer assigned to the Data Systems Division, he was placed in charge of security and retired from there in 1999 as Chief Systems Engineer.

However, it is Marty’s love, friendship, and loyalty that family and friends remember most. He was the go to guy when family, friends, or neighbors were in need. Affable, an Irish teller of tall tales, and a steady rock for others, he loved people and they loved him. Being blessed with Marty will always bring a smile to his siblings John (Jule), Maureen, Michael (Amy), and Patricia, his nieces and nephews Maribeth (Fred) Connor, Robert (Kathy) O’Brien, Christine (Steve) Carlson, Carrie (David) Richardson, Betsy (Richard) Herald, Daniel (Jennifer) Ward, and Jamie (Anne) Ward, his many grand nieces and nephews, cousins and friends, whom Marty cherished. He was predeceased by his brother James Martin (1947) and his beloved niece Kristin and nephew John Brophy Ward. As anyone who knew Marty knows, he dearly loved his canine companions Cocoa, Chica, Scotty, Pepper, Lucky, Lucy and Ricky, and will be missed by his many dog park cohorts. So to you Deadeye we raise the parting glass and pray that God will hold you in the palm of His hand. Until we meet again, Sláinte.

Services will take place at a later date due to the current proliferation of Covid-19. Marty’s final resting place will be the Cedar Grove Cemetery at the University of Notre Dame.

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