John E. 'Jack' Ward, school administrator

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John E. "Jack" Ward, 87, of Amherst, died on Friday, Feb. 1, 2008.

Born in Bradford, Pa., he graduated from Ellicottville High School in 1938. He received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from St. Bonaventure University. A devoted alumnus, he received the Friar's Award in 1985 and the St. Bonaventure Alumnus of the Year award in 1992. He also did postgraduate work in education at the University of Buffalo.

He served with the U.S. Army in the European Theater of World War II, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. He was awarded the Bronze Star and was a forward observer for the field artillery during the Battle of the Bulge. He served in the 78th Lightning Division, going all the way to Berlin. Later he received the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and served as commander of the American Legion and the local 78th Division Veterans Posts.

Mr. Ward held many jobs, from muleskinner, to railroad fireman on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railway, to Veterans Administration service officer. He also tried out for the Buffalo Bisons as a pitcher.

He was a career public school administrator, starting as a school teacher in Gowanda and serving as a supervising principal in Limestone and Owego, N.Y., and several Buffalo middle schools before retiring as principal of Grover Cleveland High School. He was also on the adjunct faculty at Canisius College.

He served as town supervisor for the Town of Carrollton, was a member of the Amherst School Board and traveled to Germany as the co-founder of the Buffalo Dortmund Sister City Committee, for which he received a medal from the German government in 1985.

He was active in the Democratic Party as a longtime committeeman, serving on the State Committee and as vice chair of the state's Young Democrats. He had once been endorsed by the Democrats to run for U.S. Congress.

Mr. Ward served in various other leadership roles, including as longtime treasurer of the New York State Public High School Athletes Association Section VI, the president of the local Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Knights of Columbus.

He was a member, usher and past president of the Holy Name Society at St. Benedict Church in Eggertsville.

Mr. Ward was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Rita H., in 2003. He is survived by two sons, Daniel and Dennis; two daughters, Maureen and Martha; two brothers, Joseph F. and James P.; and one granddaughter.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6 at St. Benedict's Church. Arrangements were made by the Dengler & Roberts Funeral Home.