Richard Leroy Ward

Richard Leroy Ward, 84, formerly of Havre de Grace, MD, went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 7, 2024.

Born December 14, 1939, in Havre de Grace, MD, he was the son of the late Hilda Diffenderfer Kenyon and George Ward.

Richard is survived by his daughter, Cathy (Terry) Sweeney; grandchildren, Chris Wassum, Andrea (Chris) DeBoard, and Leah (Donald) Beller. Richard also had four great grandchildren, Brendan and Madelynn DeBoard, Conner and Jurnee Beller.

Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Jessie, and daughter, Carol Ann Wassum.

Richard and Jessie Ward were married in 1962 and celebrated their 60 year anniversary in 2022, shortly before Jessie went to be with the Lord in 2023.

Together, Richard and Jessie built a janitorial business, Ward’s Janitorial Service, that was well known in the Harford County area, providing their services to many commercial businesses but mostly banks. After their retirement in 2019, they moved to Kentucky. Richard kept us all entertained with his stories about Jessie, Cathy and Carol. His favorites were: dropping Jessie off after a date and backing his car in her family’s yard and tearing their yard up, when Cathy needed new tires on her Camaro after burning all the rubber off them on Route 40, and when he took Carol to the neighbor for a diaper change. He loved to walk around and joke with everyone. Richard and Jessie had an amazing 60 year love story. Though we will miss him very much, we have the best memories and find comfort knowing he has been reunited with the love of his life.

Services will be held at First Christian Church, 801 Giles Street, Havre de Grace, MD, on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Calling hours from 10am-12pm with services to begin at 12pm. Friends and family are welcome. Burial will be in Harford Memorial Gardens, Aldino Road, Aberdeen, MD.