James Aloysius Ward

July 29, 1953 - December 15, 2014

James A Ward passed away Monday, December 15, 2014 after a long and courageous seven year battle with cancer. Jim was brought to rest with family at his side at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore. Born July 29, 1953, he was a son of the late Anthony and Eileen Donohue Ward of Wilkes-Barre. Jim was a dedicated and caring son to both his parents as they too faced their final challenges in life. He was the primary caregiver for his father while he had the strength to support him. A lifelong resident of Wilkes-Barre, Jim was a member of the last graduating class of St Mary's High School Wilkes-Barre, the Class of '71 and attended Mansfield University where he was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity and Wilkes University. Jim was a Letter Carrier with the United States Postal Service and proud of his service to his customers, many of whom he knew personally. He continued his affiliation with Branch 115 N.A.L.C. An avid lifelong learner and reader, Jim had a vast base of knowledge on wide ranging subjects. His brothers and sister appreciated the unusual ways he would provide hints to various trivia subject questions. Mr. Ward was a member of the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima at the Church of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Wilkes-Barre. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his sister Mollie in 1981. Jim is survived by brothers, Patrick and Michael, both of Harvey’s Lake; sister, Kathie (Alan) Freed, Sayre, Pa.; niece, Megan (Jason) Harris, Plains Township and nephew Brian Ward, Wilkes-Barre. Funeral will be held Thursday at 9 AM from McLaughlin’s, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, with Funeral Mass at 9:30 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held at McLaughlin’s on Wednesday from 4 to 7 PM. Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to the Osterhout Free Library, Wilkes-Barre, American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor’s choice. Permanent messages and memories can be shared with Jim’s family at www.lifecelebrations.com