HIRAM- Virgil Rodney Ward died on the evening of Friday, May 29, 2020. Born July 11, 1929, the son of W. Rodney and Treva Glines Ward.
He graduated from Hiram schools – Fryeburg Academy in 1948 – Bliss Business College in 1951- and from the University of Maine with a B.S. degree.
Entered the Army in 1951 and served two years, serving part of that time in Germany. In 1963 he had a cottage built on Barker Pond, where he enjoyed it for many years.
He taught at Berwick Academy in South Berwick, Sanford High School in Sanford, and Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg, Maine. He was a member of the Maine Teachers Association and the National Education Association.
An active member of his community, he served as Treasurer of the Hiram Village Cemetery for many years, Library Trustee, the Hiram Development Association, and as President of the Universalist Society.
After retiring from teaching, he enrolled in a Certified Nursing Assistant program at Memorial Hospital in North Conway, New Hampshire, working on the medical-surgical floor for eleven- and-one-half years. He also worked for many years as the bookkeeper, and performing routine office duties, for Wilbur F. Hammond, Sr., at his lumber mill, in Hiram, Maine.
He is survived by his cousins, Rosemary Rankin of East Baldwin, Lee Boothby of Bridgton, and Louise Gauthier of Lewiston, as well as by his beloved Siamese cat, Neko.
At his request there will be no funeral or visiting hours – only a prayer at the grave.
A graveside gathering will be held on Friday June 5 at 10 AM at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Hiram. Please be mindful of Phase 2 Re-opening restrictions and distancing.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home website, www.mainefuneral.com
Memorial contributions can be made to charity of your choice.