Jeffrey Ward

Jeffrey Michael Ward, 28, died December 8, 2013, in Tempe, Arizona. He was born September 10, 1985 in Bangor, the son of James F. Ward, Jr. and Deborah (Adams) Ward. Jeff grew up in Bangor, where he was active in youth sports, Dirigo Search and Rescue, and academic pursuits, such as Odyssey of the Mind. He loved the outdoors—hiking, biking, skiing, rock climbing, camping. He spent many happy hours at his family’s summer camp at Nickerson Lake, enjoying all the lake had to offer. Jeff graduated from Bangor High School, class of 2004. He attended Arizona State University, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. During his time at ASU, he studied architecture and design, and developed a strong interest in computer technology. Those interests were reflected in his career choices, which included jobs in computer technology and website design. He was most recently employed by Google.
Jeff had a natural curiosity. He attended school far from home to pursue independence and sense of self. His thirst for adventure and knowledge propelled him to connect with people, and experience so much life in his short time with us. In addition to his parents, Jeff is survived by his older sister, Kelly, paternal grandfather James F. Ward, Uncle Robert Ward and wife Paula, Aunt Catherine Ferdinand and husband Bill, Uncle Paul Adams and wife Linda, cousins Patrick and Lyndsi Ward and daughter Jocelyn, Megan and Andrew McPartland and daughter Lidia, Anna and Sarah Ferdinand, Paula and Andy Morrison and son Luke, Julie and Mike Garrison and children Nick and Kylie. He is also survived by close-knit extended family, and a wide circle of friends from all over the country. Jeff was predeceased by maternal grandparents, Joseph and Hildred Adams, and paternal grandmother Lois Ward. Friends may call from 5-8 PM, Friday, Dec. 20, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, where funeral services will be held 11 AM, Sat, Dec. 21, with Rev. Renee U. Garrett, M. Div., Minister of Christian Nurture of All Soul’s Congregational Church, officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor, following the service. The Ward family requests that anyone interested in making a donation in Jeff’s memory direct it to the NICKERSON LAKE CONSERVATION FUND, 12 Kelleran St., Suite #2, Houlton, ME 04730, or via the following website: http://www.nickersonlake.com/donations/how-to. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.