Bruce Ward Sr.

Bruce H. Ward, Sr., 71, passed away peacefully, with his loving family by his side, on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at St. Elizabeth Hospital of MVHS.

Bruce was born in Oneida, NY, on April 10, 1949, a son of the late William and Veronica (Quenell) Ward. He was raised and educated in Utica. On January 11, 1969, Bruce was joined in marriage to Nancy Occhiuto. Bruce and Nancy have shared a marriage for over fifty-one loving years.

Bruce was a furniture mover and employed at Mosca Brothers, in Rome, for many years. He was an excellent auto mechanic, always fixing everyone’s car. He enjoyed just being with family, drinking his Old Milwaukee and cooking for everyone.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy; son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Marlo Ward, daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Steve Wickman and son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Pamela Ward; beloved grandchildren, Tyler, Joshua, Jacob, Victoria, Vincent and Samantha; two sisters, Janice Nelson and Eva Ward; his in-laws, Frank and Dalene Occhiuto, Roseanne and Nick Young, Margaret Ward and Barbara Ward; Godchild Tracy Galimo; and also many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; eight brothers, Carl, Gerald, Charlie, Richard, Bobby, Donald, Bradley and Gary; granddaughter, Alyssa Wickman; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Nancy (Lucky) Occhiuto.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony and St. Agnes Church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., at Mohawk St., Utica. Both the funeral home and the church are working at limited capacity, social distancing, masks covering your nose and mouth and registering for social tracing is required. We ask that you try to arrive at church a little earlier to facilitate social tracing.

The family would like to thank the St. Elizabeth ICU for their compassion and care during this difficult time, especially Gary in ICU; and a special thank you to Bruce’s niece and nurse, Tammy LeFever, for all her special care.

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