Obituary of Ronald B. "Ron" Ward

Ronald B. Ward of Byfield, beloved husband of Bernice (Waleszkiewicz), passed away peacefully on Friday October 28, 2011. Born and raised in Melrose, he was the son of the late Harold and Dorothea Ward. Ron was a graduate of Melrose High School and earned his Associates Degree in Law Enforcement from Northern Essex Community College. After graduating from High School he enlisted in the Army, serving in Germany. Returning home, he entered the Massachusetts State Police Academy in 1966, graduating with the 47th RTT. In addition to his serving in many Troops across Massachusetts, he was also one of the first handlers on the K9 Bomb Squad stationed at Logan Airport in 1975. He retired from the State Police in June 1986, after 20 years of service, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served as a Federal Marshall for the U.S. Federal Court of Boston, followed by joining the MIT Campus Police where he received commendations from the City of Cambridge and MIT for his assistance in rescuing a young student from flames, April 2000. He retired from MIT with ten years of service. During his retirement, he also served as a Court Bailiff of Rockingham County Superior Court, Salem, NH. Throughout his life, he remained a military reservist serving in the Army National Guard and retiring from the Air Force with a rank of Senior Master Sergeant, serving 20 years. During this time he was activated to serve during Desert Storm. Upon moving to Byfield, he became a volunteer firefighter for the Byfield Fire Department. Ron’s passion in life was truly his family. In addition to his other family activities, his daughters will always remember his volunteering as a “Band Dad”, transporting equipment. He was an avid fisherman, loved boating and all sports, and enjoyed nothing better than a motorcycle ride with friends from Maine to Florida. In addition to his wife, Ron is survived by his two daughters, Alyson Dwyer and her husband Dr. William Dwyer of Merrimac, MA, and Kelly Ward and her significant other and dear family friend, Kristiaan De Sweemer of Merrimack, NH, granddaughter Charlotte Dwyer, sisters Sally Waite of Carlisle, MA, and Pamela Hannah of Mobile, AL. At Ron’s request, services will be private and held at the U.S. National Cemetery of Bourne, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron’s memory may be made to Protection Fire Company No. 1 of Byfield Fire Department, 44 Central Street, Byfield, MA 01922. Arrangements by the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home Peabody. For online obituary and memorial guest book, please visit www.ccbfuneral.com . Please use search window for obituary.