Douglas H.B. Ward

88, of Donald Drive, Middletown, RI, died unexpectedly Thursday, February 12, 2009 at Newport Hospital. He was the beloved husband of the late Pauline Siney Ward for 63 years. Born in Newport, RI on September 11, 1920, he was the son of the late A. Hartley G. and Edith Baird Ward. He was a graduate of Rogers High School class of 1938 and Bryant College. Mr. Ward served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He owned and operated Wards Printing Company until his retirement. Mr. Ward, at the time of his death, was the oldest member of the North End Club. He was a member and former secretary of the Sons of the Revolution. He was a past President of the Newport Lions Club and served as Deputy District Governor of the Rhode Island Lions Club. He was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award for Humanitarian Services. Douglas sang for many years with the Swanhurst Choral Society and at the time of his death he was a member emeritus. Additionally, he was a former member of the Navy League and the Naval Affairs Council. He was a parishioner of the former St. Georges Church in Newport where he served as both Junior and Senior Warden. He was a member of its choir for 60 years. At the time of his death he was a parishioner of St. Marys Church in Portsmouth. He also enjoyed memberships in AARP, Redwood Library, the Preservation Society of Newport County as well as The Edward King Center. He is survived by his daughter, Janet Ward Martin and her husband, Henry of Attleboro, MA and his son, Phillip H. Ward and his wife, Beth, of Middletown; his beloved grandchildren, Meredith Martin Woodcock and her husband, Jeff and Elizabeth Martin Riley and her husband, Paul; his great-grandchildren, Evan, Caitlin and Carley Woodcock and Meagan, Sarah and Ellie Riley and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late David R. Ward.His family and friends will remember him best for his deep and abiding faith, his love for reading, his keen sense of history and most especially for his love of travel. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 11am in St. Marys Episcopal Church, 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Inurnment will follow in St. Marys Churchyard, Portsmouth.Calling hours are respectfully omitted.In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St Marys Episcopal Church Capital Campaign or the Edward King Center.