Anthony P. Ward

Anthony Patrick Ward passed away Monday, August 25, 2014 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

Born April 6, 1920 in Wilkes-Barre he was a son of the late Patrick and Rose Mulvey Ward.

A lifelong resident of Wilkes-Barre, Tony was a graduate of Meyers High School and the University of Scranton. After graduation from Scranton he entered the Navy and proudly served in the Pacific during WWII where he flew naval aircraft and completed his service on the USS Balet. He also enjoyed flying as a civilian for years after the war.

After the war he returned home, applied to the FBI and expected to be accepted into their training program. The alternate plan was the purchase of local restaurant he had been considering for some time. His children are grateful that the FBI acceptance letter arrived after his decision to pursue the alternate plan as the business was where he would eventually meet their mother. He owned and operated Ward’s Restaurant next to City Hall in downtown Wilkes-Barre for many years, never completely retiring from his varied business interests.

Mr. Ward was a member of the parishes of Saint Therese and Our Lady of Fatima in Wilkes-Barre.

Tony was preceded by his wife of fifty-seven years, Eileen Donohue Ward, whom he cared for dearly, especially in her final years while afflicted with Parkinson’s, a daughter, Mollie and a brother, Frank.

He will be greatly missed by sons, Patrick and Michael, both of Harvey’s Lake; Jim of Wilkes-Barre; daughter, Kathie and her husband Alan Freed of Sayre; grandchildren, Megan and her husband Jason Harris of Plains and Brian Ward of Wilkes-Barre; great-grandson, Tristino Altavilla of Wilkes-Barre; nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Tony’s Life will be held Friday at 8:30 AM from McLaughlin’s, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre with Funeral Mass at 9:30 AM in the Church of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception. Interment will be in Saint Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at McLaughlin’s on Thursday from 4 to 7 PM.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your preference.

Permanent messages and memories can be shared with Tony’s family at www.celebratehislife.com