James A Ward life time resident of Ipswich Mass, passed away in the early morning hours Saturday the 20th of February 2016, after a short battle with AML Leukemia. Jim was born the youngest of three, August 14, 1941 to mother Genevieve A. Melanson Ward and father John H Ward. His brother Jack, John Jr has since passed while his sister Marie Ann Westlake, today resides in the North East Kingdom Vermont. Born in Wakefield Mass, Jim's family moved to Ipswich in 1945. It would be Ipswich were he would put down his roots. In 1963 Jim married his high school sweetheart and love of his life Connie Fredrick Ward. Together for 53 years, they raised two children Maria and Scott. Jim is survived by his beloved family, wife Connie, sister Marie, daughter Maria, son Scott, daughter in-law Christina Mihopoulos Ward and his three grandchildren Ally, Aidan and Pascalia Ward. As well as many nieces, nephews, godchildren and dear friends. After graduating from Ipswich High in 1959 and later Merrimack College in 1963, he made his entrepreneurial mark on the business world establishing and co-founding several companies. Putnam Electric, Ward Associates, Hill Engineering, Opknocks Consulting and Scantum Press. Jim spent most of his career in marketing for Aerospace and Defense electronics companies, Unitrobe, Enon and others. He was member of the AOC Association for Old Crows / Electronic Warfare. Jim was a dedicated patriot who loved his country, living out his American dream during what he would call the golden age of America Jim spent much of his free time boating and loved fishing. Late in his life he would author 11 books including the Robert Steck International Spy Series, two novels of historical fiction, two Orthodox Christian Religious service books and one children's book "A Seagull Named Celeste". Earlier in his life, he was known to have done what he would call favors for people in the NSA. Though parallels can be drawn between himself and the penned characters in his books, he was never the international spy as portrayed through his books characters. Never admitted, one might believe there may be more to that story that he would never tell. If asked, he would say his favorite of his books was Ani, or maybe the one left not yet finished. Jim was a dedicated member of his church, St. John The Russian, serving as a reader/chanter for over 36 years. Only several weeks before he passed Jim was tonsured Monk Nektarios through the Holy Transfiguration Monastery. This was a wish of his for quite some time. A restful calm and rich glow came over him at that moment of tonsure. He had truly experienced all he had set out to do. His life had been wondrous and full. Jim lived as a humble and devout Orthodox Christian. He guided and cherished his family. He was a man who would always reach out with compassion for others. His unconditional love as a husband, a father and as a grandpa will truly be missed. The true friend of virtue who didst appear in the last years, O Nektarios, we faithful honor thee as a godly servant of Christ; for thou pourest forth healings of every kind for those who piously cry out: Glory to Christ who hath glorified thee Glory to him who hath made thee wondrous. Glory to him who worketh healings for all through thee. On Tuesday February 23rd at 7 pm a Trisagion Prayer will be held at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday , February 24th at 11:00 am in the Holy Transfiguration Monastery with a meal to follow after the service. The interment service will follow at Highland Cemetery at 2:30 in Ipswich, Ma. Immediately following the interment a gathering will be held at the Hart House Restaurant, 51 Linebrook Road, Ipswich, Ma. Donation's in his memory may be made to the Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 27 Warren St., Brookline, MA 02445. At the request of the family floral arrangements may be ordered through Brattle Square Florist, Cambridge, Ma. 617-876-9839