Obituary of Gary Ward

Gary Ward of Pine Island, NY, retired co-owner of Ward's Auto Parts, Inc. in Franklin, NJ, entered into rest on Saturday, December 24, 2011 at home. He was 68. The son of the late Robert Ward & Lillian Clark Ward, he was born on April 5, 1943 in Norwalk, Ct. Gary was proud to serve in the U.S. Army where he completed two tours in Vietnam having served in the 18th Military Police Brigade, 127th MP Co.. He was a member of St. Stanislaus, Church, Pine Island, VFW Post 8441, Vernon, NJ and the American Legion Post 1607, Unionville, NY. Gary loved driving his Military Jeep in many parades. Survivors include his beloved wife, Leokadia Zygmunt Ward of Pine Island, brother, Tyron Ward & wife Mary of Pittsfield, MA, 2 nieces, Margaret Ward of Newtonville, MA and Amy Combs & husband Jason of Greensboro, NC, 2 nephews, Michael Ward & wife Jennifer of Pittsfield, MA and Daniel Ward & wife Li of Boston, MA, sisters in law, Barbara Ward of Jamestown, NC and Helen Pirog of Poland, 2 brothers in law, Edward Zygmunt and Tadeusz Zygmunt and wife Kazimera of Poland. As well as several other nieces and nephews in Poland and in Germany, great nieces, great nephews and cousins in America. Gary was predeceased by brother, Wayne Ward. Visitation will be held on Tuesday December 27 from 3:00-7:00PM at T.S. Purta F.H., 690 County Route#1, Pine Island, NY 10969. Veteran's services will be held tuesday evening at 6:45pm. Funeral mass will be held 10:00 AM on Wednesday December 28 at St. Stanislaus Church, Pine Island. Burial will be Orange County Veteran's Cemetery, Goshen, NY with full military honors. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus Church Restoration, C/O St. Joseph Church, 14 Glenmere Avenue, Florida, NY 10921 or to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.