Obituary of Raymond R. Ward

Raymond R.Ward Raymond Robert Ward, 64, passed away on Dec. 5, 2012 in Morehead City, NC. He was born on April 10, 1948 in Elizabeth, NJ, to Robert and Adele Konopka Ward. Ray grew up in Caldwell, NJ, graduating from James Caldwell High School in 1966. After high school he attended St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa., where he received a bachelor's degree in history. He then earned his master's degree in history from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Ray worked several jobs in and around Washington, DC, before moving to Rochester, NY, where he became a self-employed manufacturer sales representative in the commercial restaurant equipment industry. Ray owned two businesses, B&W Marketing and Quality Rep Source (QRS), located in Farmington and Victor, NY, respectively. Most recently, Ray worked as a Sales Manager for BMIL Technology in Morehead City, NC. Ray married his beautiful bride, Karen Ann Ward, in 1974 in Silver Spring, MD. Ray was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and his brothers still gather in Dewey Beach, DE, each year to cook out and regale each other with stories of yesteryear. Ray also served as the president of the Victor-Farmington Rotary Club and the Manufacturer's Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry (MAFSI). He enjoyed visiting his children and grandchildren, fishing and life on the shore, golf, and watching thoroughbred horse racing and pro football. He loved a good laugh - and often sparked a good laugh in others. Ray is survived by his parents, Robert and Adele; wife, Karen; his daughter, Gretchen (Joseph) Mancuso of Wilton, CT; his sons, Michael (Jennifer) Ward of Richmond, Va. and Kevin Ward of Washington, DC; his sister, Karen Handy of Stanhope, NJ; his brother, Steve Ward of Burnt Hills, NY; his grandchildren (Ella, Kelly, Jenna and Nolan) and nieces and nephews and other relatives. A visitation will be held Tuesday afternoon 4-7 at Lucey-VanVoorhis Funeral Home, 301 W. Main Street in Victor. A celebration of Ray's life will be held Wednesday morning at 11:30 at St. Patrick's Church, 115 Maple Avenue, Victor. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be directed to the Rochester General Foundation for the Lipson Cancer Center or the Wilmot Cancer Center at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. This is where Ray received treatment for his two victories over cancer.