William (Bill) Ward

April 8, 2020

On Wednesday, April 8, 2020 we lost William (Bill) Ward of Irvington, NY to COVID-19 at age 73. He was a quiet, compassionate, intelligent man, who loved life. God has taken one of his truly good sons into his kingdom. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Bill was the son of Helen (Scanlon) Ward and John (Jack) Ward. He had an idyllic childhood growing up in Fresh Meadows, Queens, NY when kids could roam the neighborhood and park with joy. There he developed the love of basketball, baseball and sports which influenced his life forever. Basketball brought Bill to Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School. He received his BS in Accounting from CUNY Bernard Baruch and his MBA in Taxation from St. John’s University. Bill is survived by his wife of 36 years Alicia and their children Jonathan (fiancé Camille), Jaclyn, Jeffrey and James. He is also survived by sister-in-law Susan Gusmano Skahan (Bill) and brother-in-law Vincent Gusmano (Peggy) and many nieces and nephews: Patricia Ann Garvey, Brian Skahan (Magda), Erin Skahan Brandt (Tony and children Alex, Kylie, Emily and Tegan), Dr. Greer Gunther (Jason with daughter Ivy), Dr. Randy Gunther and Courtney Gunther (daughter Emma). Bill’s sister Patricia Ianonne and his parents predeceased him. Bill’s passion was for golf, boating, youth sports and surprising to a few, ballroom dancing, but at the very core was his family. Bill adored his family and worked to provide a wonderful life for his children in Irvington, NY. He loved watching his children play sports. He was often the guy on the hill at Iona Prep or Meszaros Field with his newspaper, but somehow never missed a play. Around town he was “Coach Bill” to many youth as he coached his kids and many others through Immaculate Conception CYO Basketball and Irvington Rec Sports softball and baseball. Bill spent many years golfing at Knollwood Country Club. He was a regular at the Thursday night summer league and the member/ guest tournaments but really enjoyed any time he could golf with his friends. During the summer months he spent his weekends boating at Spray Beach Yacht Club, NJ where he enjoyed many hours on and by the bay with good friends and family. In addition he also gave back to our community through his support of the O’Hara Foundation. One of is favorite events was the O’Hara Basketball Tournaments. Growing up in Queens, he was definitely a Jets – Mets fan. He went to Jets games every season which his family loved attending with him. Another thing about Bill is that he loved his job, a great way to live. He and Leonard (Len) Bencivenga have a local CPA firm Bencivenga Ward & Co CPAs. Many people called Bill a loyal friend, trusted confidant and simply a good guy. He was a great dad and husband and his family will miss him immensely. At a later date, when the pandemic allows, the family will host a memorial service for Bill. The staff at Phelps Hospital took excellent and compassionate care of Bill and for those who would like to make a donation, donations to Phelps Hospital COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund are appreciated: https://www.phelpsevents.org/give-now/ Another charity that Bill supported was the Westchester Caddie Scholarship Fund, which helps caddies and other youth working in the golf industry in the New York area attend college: https://www.caddiescholarship.org/donation/ The best way to honor of Bill and all who have lost to this terrible virus is to stay home and stay healthy.