James P. Ward, 89, of the Milmont Park section of Ridley Township, passed away on January 17, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.



Mr. Ward was born in Chester to the late Peter T. and Maria Quinn Ward who emigrated from County Mayo, Ireland. He grew up on 10th Street in Chester, also known as "Little Ireland" attending Resurrection of Our Lord Elementary School and Roman Catholic High School for boys for one year before transferring to and graduating from St. James High School in Chester. After high school, Mr. Ward secured a job at the Sun Oil Refinery in Marcus Hook.



Mr. Ward was a decorated veteran having enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1944, at the height of World War II, serving on the U.S.S. Guam Battle Cruiser in the Pacific Theatre. He participated in the Battle of Okinawa and the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, and then visited the British West Indies and Hawaii. Mr. Ward served as the Admiral's and Captain's honor guard during his tenure on the ship.



After an honorable discharge in 1946, Mr. Ward resumed his position at the Sun Oil refinery as a painter. He was a past vice president and interim president of the Local Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union 8901, also serving on the negotiations committee, and was also responsible for organizing the annual Sun Oil Union Family Picnic held at Sun Center. Mr. Ward retired from Sun Oil Refinery in 1984 after forty one years of service.



Mr. Ward was very active in sports. He especially loved playing baseball and did so for various leagues throughout Delaware County, playing for both the DELCO and DELCO Valley Leagues as a shortstop and third baseman where he won numerous golden glove awards and secured numerous batting titles until his retirement from the game in the late 1950's. In 1975, Mr. Ward was inducted into the Media Old Timers Hall of Fame for his contribution to the sport of baseball. He also bowled for the Sun Oil Refinery Bowling League. He participated in many basketball leagues throughout the county, but especially enjoyed pickup games.



Mr. Ward was a reliable donor to the American Red Cross blood drives giving several times a year. He was awarded a special plaque in 1975 for donating 13 gallons of blood over the course of many years.



A devoted family man, he spent many hours enjoying the company of his children and grandchildren. Mr. Ward was a parishioner of Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church. He often volunteered as a coach for the little league baseball teams. After his retirement, he enjoyed working outdoors, or just sitting under the tree reading his newspapers. Mr. Ward traveled with the Sun Honor Club to Hawaii, South Carolina, Michigan, Rhode Island and Maine. He would also make his annual visit to the Jersey shore to walk the beach and take pleasure in family vacations.



An engaged sports fan, he was especially fond of the American Baseball League favoring the Boston Red Sox. Mr. Ward enjoyed reminiscing about his trips to watch the World Series games at Yankee Stadium and Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.



Mr. Ward was an active member of the American Legion, Marine Corps League and the Sun Honor Club.



Mr. Ward was the widower of Catharine M. Williams Ward and brother to the late John J., Peter T., Mary A., Martin, Michael, Thomas M., Joseph F., and Francis T. Ward.



Survivors: Children, James P. Ward, Jr. (Mary) of Glen Mills, Terrence J. Ward (Tricia) of Reading, MA, Michael F. Ward (Pam) of Folsom and Catharine A. Stewart (Michael) of Springfield; nine loving grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.



Visitation: 7-9 PM Friday and 8:45-9:45 AM Saturday at White-Luttrell Funeral Home, 311 N. Swarthmore Ave., Ridley Park.



Funeral Mass: 10:30 AM Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Our Lady of Peace R.C. Church, 206 Milmont Ave, Milmont Park.



Burial: SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Taylor Hospice Residence, PO BOX 147. Ridley Park, PA 19078.