Richard "Dick" Ward N. Utica Mr. Richard "Dick" Harley Ward 83, passed away peacefully on Thursday January 24, 2008 with his loving family by his side. Husband, father, grandfather, brother, soldier and hunter are just a few ways to describe Dick. His life has blessed us with 83 years of loyalty and honor. As a young man he protected our country with the United States Army during WW II. His heart was always with Dorothy "Dot", the love of his love for the past 61 years. He is survived by his beloved Dot; his daughters and sons-in-law, Gail and James Holtslag, TN, Vivian and John Wurz, Cold Brook, and Patricia DeSimone, Schuyler; his son and daughter-in-law, Richard Jr. and Frances Ward, OH; two brothers, and sisters-in-law, William and Mary Ward, AZ and James and Jean Ward, Canajoharie; 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by an infant daughter Robin, infant grand daughter, Jessica DeSimone, one sister, Mary Keldar and two brothers, Herman and John Ward. Dick was born in Auburn, NY on August 15, 1924. He had dreams of living in the country and having his own farm. Then one day he met Dorothy Seeley and spent the early years of their marriage in Canajoharie, NY. In 1962 the Ward's moved to Utica, NY and together cared for 60 foster children from 1966-1986. Richard worked as a Railroader for Conrail for 43 years until his retirement in 1985. After retirement Dick invested time traveling the country with family and didn't stop aiming for the biggest buck. Hard working and a dedicated nature describe him best. He would reach out to help anyone, always protected the people he loved and stood up proudly for what he believed in. Richard attended Christ Community reformed Church in Utica. A funeral ceremony will be held on Monday January 28, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home 408 Herkimer Rd., North Utica. A spring interment will be held in Freysbush Cemetery in Canajoharie, NY. Please join with us for his calling hours on Sunday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Parkinson's Research Foundation 157 Rome St. Farmingdale, NY 11735 in Dick's memory. Dick, thank you for everything you've done to enrich our lives in this world. God Bless! "Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." John Wayne