AUBURN – Gilbert “Gil” Allan Ward, 76 of Chesterville, died on Sunday, April 13, 2014, at Androscoggin Hospice House.
Born in Milford, Mass., on Dec. 2, 1937, Gilbert was the son of Rev. Edward G. and Ruth (MacMicheal) Ward. He graduated from Wells High School in 1955 and went on to earn his BA from Gorham State Teachers College and his M.Ed from Boston University. Gil married his wife Razell (Smedberg) Ward on July 27, 1996 at Webb Lake in Weld.
Gil was an active and dedicated leader of many social service and educational institutions, holding many positions that served others, including principal of Shapleigh School, superintendent of Bridgewater schools in Bridgewater, Mass., and, after moving back to Maine, was principal of Mt. Blue Middle School.
He then changed careers and worked in Social Services as director of the Workforce Development Center, Tri-County WIC program and the Tri-County Health Services with Western Maine Community Action Agency as the director of operations. For the past 10 years he has been the executive director of Rural Community Action Ministry in Leeds, a position he often said, ”This was the job I was always meant to have.”
In his younger years, he was proud of being a member of the US Naval Reserves and a member of the Ogunquit Police Department and also enjoyed other sidelines as a milk tester for DHIA and as a bartender.
Gil served on a number of boards and committees during his lifetime including as a member of the Board of the State Manpower Planning Committee appointed by Gov. James B. Longley, board chair of Franklin County Community Action Council, member of the Board of Directors of Community Concepts, the Family Planning Association, the Red Cross, the New England Training and Employment Council and the National Alliance of Business. He also was served on the board of the Maine Teachers Association as chair, was a member of the Maine Commission for Community Service and the Advisory Council for SeniorsPlus.
Gil recently was recognized by the Maine Legislature with a legislative sentiment for his work on behalf of the rural people in Maine. The Board of RCAM also recently named the newly opened Senior Housing residence, a project he worked on for the past three years, as the Gilbert A. Ward Senior Residence.
In his spare time, Gil enjoyed bird hunting, fly fishing at his secret fishing spots, kayaking with his daughters and was especially proud to be a member of the Carrabasset Mud Football Association with his son and in 2006 was inducted into the Mud Football Hall of Fame in North Conway, N.H. He was well known to the team as the “pig meister” for his perfectly roasted pork dinners for teams that came from all over New England for the annual Mud Bowl in Kingfield. He also enjoyed cooking and creating dishes that he tested on his family at home, and was a regular cook at the town hunters breakfasts and harvest dinners. Although the past few years of his life included some health problems, he never stopped working or caring for those in need, and forged on working until the last few weeks of his life, his motto was always “it is what it is” and he moved on from there.
Gil is survived by his wife Razell of Chesterville, his children and the children he welcomed into his life as his own, son Brett Ward of Lewiston, his daughters Wendy and Bonnie of Minot, son Dennis Adams and wife Sonja of Melbourne FL., son Shawn Sawyer of Osaka, Japan and daughter McKinley Adams, Portland; his grandchildren Sabine, Kat and Sarah. Also, his sister Janice Randlett and husband Brad of Westwood, Mass., his father and mother-in-law Roger and Gayle Smedberg of Oxford, as well as his extended family, beloved nieces and nephews, friends and caregivers.
A memorial breakfast service will be held 9 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2014, at the Chesterville Town Hall, Dutch Gap Road, Chesterville. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in his name to Rural Community Action Ministry, 81 Church Hill Road, Leeds ME, the Chesterville Heritage Society c/o Cindy Whittier, 180 Stinchfield Hill Road, Chesterville, ME or Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, 15 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, ME.
“Success”
Inaccurately attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
He had all this and so very much more he will be missed by many.
RIP Gil
Sympathy to his family, hope you find comfort in knowing how much he ment to so many
Gil was one of my favorite people. I will always remember his kindness and caring spirit. Of course i will remember too the delish dinners and the Thanksgiving meals shared with your family.
May you find comfort in knowing that so many people care.
Love to you all
To a terrific person who was caring, thoughtful, and always looking out for others. His work spoke for itself. He will be greatly missed.
So very sad to learn of Gil’s passing . I worked with Gil for many years at TCHS and have many fond memories of him. He was a kind and gentle soul, and thoughts of him make me smile. To his family, so very sorry for your loss. Gil was one of a kind and will be missed.
Here’s to you Gil…..
A Great Friend—- With a wry and very dry sense of humor. You always had to let me know when and explain your jokes. haha…
A Great Cook—– Pig roasts, dinners at home, staff meetings( I remember threatening to boycott staff meetings if you didn’t cook lol!!!) , town functions…
A Great Boss—– One who took time to understand his employees work styles and allowed them to work their way, maximizing the capacity of our organization exponentially.
A Great Man—- Mentoring many, including myself. Guiding us by example and wisdom to be caring, giving and forgiving and strive for understanding of humanity.
Gil, you were a rare man. A special gift to us all. We are and the world is a better place , because of you….
Thank you Gil.
I met Gil through my work. He was a special, special man. I have several hundred customers and Gil was certainly one of the most impressive. He was working right up until the end. There is a special place in heaven for Gil, and I hope he’s enjoying it. We’ll miss him here.
Gil was a quiet, good man, who will be sadly missed by those who knew him. His many years as principal positively influenced children who now have children of their own. Compassion leavened his stern sense of right behavior. His years in social service widened the circle of ripples he made in our communities. But it’s Gil the friend, Gil the prankster, Gil the man who could bring a touch of humor to difficult times that I will miss most. The combination of Gil and the late Brian Rowe planning some rather elaborate (and harmless) jokes made work days lighter. Ask us about some of their lighter moments– we love to tell those stories. Don’t forget, too, that it was Gil who would pull the staff up to the mark with a reminder that always brings his face and voice to my memory: “Let’s pull up our socks!”
Gil, we’re glad we knew you. Rest in peace.
Terry and Kathy Lynch
Razel: my heart goes out to you – you were blessed to love such a wonderful man as Gil.
Richard and I thought so much of him and admired him for his wit, brilliance, graciousness and charm. He was a unique individual who was able and willing to serve the community, his friends , and family. He will be sorely missed.
Sorry to have you gone Gil, I’ll miss our early morning shopping meetings @ hannaford & your ever painfully dry wit over screwdrivers at the bar. We certainly won’t be able to forget you every time we pass a Jeep with a canoe on it. Hope they let you ‘wet a line” up there. RIP from the CPC & Granary Crews.
Brett,
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. We always enjoyed chatting with him and seeing him, especially back at Mud Football! What a special man!
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Rick & Ann Toothaker
Our thought are with you Ritz thinking of you.
Thanks, Gil, for all the countless acts of great kindness over the years. I am grateful to have gotten to know you and now appreciate you so much more after reading the comments that have been submitted. Thank you for all you have given to others and, yes, I will think of you too, when I see a kayak on top of a jeep, even in winter!
I knew Gil from working at the Dugout and at CPC and we always looked forward to seeing him. He was kind and always had interesting stories to tell about kayaking or his winnings at the Casino! We will miss you Gil, R.I.P!
So sorry to hear of your loss Razell. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Gil Ward. Gil was a colleague when we were both on the management team at WMCA. I will always remember his kindness and his dry sense of humor. At the time of Hurricane Gilbert, Gil came into my office with the headline, “Gilbert Arrives, Texans Leave.” I posted that on my wall and it got lots of laughs from visitors. May he rest in peace.
Dear Gil,
I will always remember how you gave 100% of yourself to listen to others selflessly. Never forgetting a birthday or Christmas. Family and friends, even strangers! Working hard all your life to provide for others. Gil you never complained about a single thing in my presence in the twelve years I’ve known you. I thank you for the opportunity to have known you.
Love You Man,
Tina