Obituary of David Gordon Ward

David Gordon Ward died peacefully after a battle with brain cancer at his home in St. Marys on April 16, 2021 at the age of 75.Beloved husband of Denise Lynn (nee Turner). Loving father of Nathan David Ward, Jacob Michael Ward and his wife Caitlin and their children Bryson and Aurora, Virginia Marie Bell and her husband Jeff and their children Bailey and Addison. Brother of James Ward of Banff AB, Phil Ward (Sally) of Huntsville Ontario and will be missed by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.Predeceased by Gordon and Jean Ward of Monkton, Ontario.David was born in Victoria, British Columbia and moved to Ontario when he was just a young boy. He then grew up in Monkton, went to high school in Mitchell, then went to Ontario Forest Ranger College in Dorset. Dave worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources at several Ontario Provincial Parks prior to settling in Aylmer as a district supervisor for the MNR. David played a major role in many provincial park developments. Aylmer is where he met his wife of 40 years Denise, and where they raised their family, children Nathan, Jacob and Virginia. As a young man, Dave enjoyed muscle cars and racing snowmobiles. Along with loving and exploring nature, he really enjoyed hunting, fishing with his father, as well as canoeing. He was proud to have learned how to canoe from Omer Stringer, and continued to teach his children how to paddle a canoe as well. David enjoyed playing slo-pitch, hockey, curling and coaching minor hockey in Aylmer, and was a member of the Springfield Lions Club. David always enjoyed many hikes with his children and grandchildren, pointing out and naming various bird species, trees and plants. David always knew the name of any plant you asked him about. David had a passion for living history, re-enacting several time periods, and as a Civil War Buff, going on many travels with family dressing in period costumes of the 1860s and seeing many battlefields along their travels. David enjoyed target shooting with the North-South Skirmish Association. After 30 years, Dave chose early retirement from the MNR in 1995, as it gave him the opportunity to be more involved with his children. David continued to raise his children in Aylmer, involving himself in many of their sports teams and activities. He also took up background extra acting, was a full ACTRA member, and enjoyed working mostly in the Toronto area, to either lend costumes/props, consult, or himself as a background extra. David and Denise enjoyed many travels together as well, and David was very keen on leaving some of Ontario winters behind even if it was just a week or two during the coldest time of year. David was a very proud Poppa to his grandchildren Bailey, Addison, Bryson and Aurora. After the birth of Bailey (who herself coined the name Poppa) and the continued growth of Virginia’s family, David retired to St. Marys area, to be closer to his girls. A private family graveside service will be held at North Logan Cemetery on Friday, April 23rd, 2021 at 3 p.m.. The service will be streamed live on the Andrew L. Hodges Funeral Home Facebook page.Memorial donations may be made to Ontario Parks or the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.