John Philip Ward, age 79, passed away on Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 at the University of Virginia Health System Hospital.  John was predeceased by his mother Martha Crout Ward in 1970, his father Ralph Ward in 1997, sister Suzanne Ward Fullagar in 2014, as well as first cousin Richard Ward in 2020.  John is survived by his wife Priscilla  Ward, son Ralph Ward II, grandchildren Emma and Ryan Ward, sister Jean Anderson,  and stepchildren Tom Coughlan, Allyson Coughlan, and Jennifer Coughlan.   He is also survived by an inspiring global network of extended family, friends, and former work colleagues.

Forever curious, life in the beautiful village of Odessa, NY where John was born four days after the attacks on Pearl Harbor, proved too confining.  Growing up on his parent's farm instilled in John the principles of hard work, honesty, and a perseverance carried until his final hours.  He enjoyed "tinkering", and in fact built his own car from a junked Chevrolet when he was still a teen.  After graduating from Odessa High School in 1959, John received an Associate's degree in Engineering from the State University of New York at Morrisville.

Feeling bad that he was denied conscription to the Vietnam War for medical reasons, John made a decision that would enrich the rest of his life when he joined the newly created Peace Corps in the year 1962.  After Peace Corps evaluation and training at UCLA Davis, John's assignment was in the country of India.  During his two years there, John, along with others who would become his "brothers and sisters" for life, were given the task of starting a poultry industry in that country in order to provide protein to the malnourished.  For those of you that got to listen to John's stories from that time, they sounded as if ripped from an adventure novel.  If getting hepatitis, rabies, and a scorpion bite was not enough, John decided to keep a cobra snake as a house pet while there.  His adventures in India planted the seed of a life laden with curiosity for foreigners and their cultures.

Upon completion of his Peace Corps assignment, John accepted a job with the National Register Company (NCR) near his home of Odessa.  Describing that job as boring and tedious he soon after began searching for other work.  His Peace Corps network came through when he landed a job with a Massachusetts based poultry company named Cobb, thereby launching a long career in that industry.  His first assignment with Cobb was in the city of Tripoli, Libya.  You see, John had picked up conversant Urdu while in India and he was just the man Cobb needed to sell chickens in Northern Africa.  From Libya, he was asked to run a poultry farm in Spain. Not knowing any Spanish, John enrolled himself in a Berlitz crash course in London, England and six months later, he was off to Spain.  His first job in Spain took him to a beach town south of Barcelona.  Later he would work just northeast of Madrid.  It was there that he met his first wife, a Spaniard named Maria Dolores Guerra in the year 1967.  John and Maria married in July of 1968.  John was called back to the U.S. by Cobb in 1971, and in 1972 their only child, Ralph, was born in Concord, Massachusetts.  A few months after Ralph's birth, Cobb asked John to move to Brescia, Italy.  Three years later, he was asked to work in Athens, Greece where he decided to take an offer with the competition at a company named Arbor Acres.  This was yet another move that determined much of his life.  From Greece, it was onto Spain once again for nearly three years, followed by England for nearly 3 years, when he was asked to join Arbor Acres' headquarters as Vice President of Sales in the town of Glastonbury, Connecticut in the year 1983.

Connecticut is where John would spend most of his life, namely 26 years.  Nonetheless, John's globetrotting would not end there.  On account of his speaking Spanish, as well as his experience with Africa and the Middle East, John was asked to travel overseas for as many as 100 days in a given year, visiting most of Latin America, the Middle East, as well as many parts of Asia.  In one particular year in the early 1990's, he had spent so much time in Bagdad, Iraq that the CIA paid a visit to inquire about his work.

John and his first wife Maria divorced in late 1995, yet he was so beloved by Maria's family in Spain that he continued to visit Spain with frequency.  Maria's family would also make dedicated trips to visit John as often as once per year.  As recently as last summer, one of John's former Spanish sister and brother-in-laws made a trip to see him.  Such an action requires little elaboration.

As retirement approached, and John's career demands eased, he again turned to societal contribution and became very active with The Rotary Club in Glastonbury, Connecticut.  Such a move kept him well connected to his community, friends, and neighbors in Connecticut when, once again, he forged deep friendships.  In 2004, while still living in Connecticut, John met the woman who was to become his wife, love, and life companion until the end, Priscilla Kelly.  Priscilla, a lifelong resident of Connecticut, was just the woman for John given that she too had known much travel and adventure on a global scale.  Being that only another well-traveled person would do, John was able to once more find love and happiness.  Together, they visited over a dozen countries. John and Priscilla's boundless energy and curiosity never ceased.  Their stories kept all guests entertained, usually while feasting on one of their famous gourmet meals, often shared in John's beloved picnic area.

Upon retirement, the adventure continued with a move to the stunning mountains of West Virginia. John's lifelong dream of retiring to a farm was realized, and Little Bluestone Farm was born. His passion and energy created a property that was truly a sanctuary for him, his family, and all who visited.  They were embraced by the community, enjoying the southern grace and charm of its people. They formed endearing and treasured friendships that continue to endure. The family wishes to thank all of the wonderful people who called, sent flowers, and delicious meals! Your generosity and caring words have meant so much during this difficult time.

John became involved in the growth of the Statewide WV Return Peace Corps Volunteers, serving on the State Board as Treasurer. In lieu of flowers, donations to this chosen organization can be made in John's name at WVRPCV Project Fund, 94 Shady Meadows Ct., Charles Town, WV 25414.

Little Bluestone Farm hosts a vigorous line of black angus cows, lovingly tended flower gardens, and a summer vegetable garden.  Rambunctious Boer goats kept us laughing, and visitors were welcomed with open arms. All well-kept – we all know John's fondness of neatness!  In 2017, the Wards were approached by the Appalachian Bee Keeping Collective requesting use of some of their property for a unique project. The 30 hives that form a colorful "village" in the far field will make an indelible mark on sustainability in WV.  The project is breeding a "Ward" Queen Bee uniquely bred for WV, ensuring a strong population and disease resistance.  John loved nothing more than to sit in his workshop after a day's work, relax, and look out over his accomplishment.

A memorial service and celebration of John's life will be held at a later date.