Michael John Ward III, age 77, husband of 30 years to his beloved wife Helen (Bethoney) Ward, passed away peacefully at his home in Middleboro, MA, surrounded by his family on Friday August 19, 2022. Michael was born in Bronx, NY, on Friday November 10, 1944, and was the son of Michael J. and Mary “May” (Brennan) Ward. In addition to his wife Helen, Michael is survived by his son Iain Ward of Lakeville, daughters Katy Fisk and her husband Chad of Copenhagen, NY, Lindsay Ward, and his former wife and longtime friend Maggie Ward of Middleboro, step-sons Rob Richard and his wife Tracey of Lakeville, and Chris Richard and his wife Wendy of Taunton; ten grandchildren, Caleb and Casey Ward, Cayleigh, Colton, and Cavin Fisk, Isaiah, Natalie, and Cole Richard, and Zachary and Giana Richard; brothers Martin Ward and his wife Mary of Glen Rock, NJ, and Mark Ward and his wife Arlene of City Island, NY, brothers-in-law Rick Bethoney and his wife Karen of Jacksonville, FL, and Max Bethoney of Taunton, father and mother-in-law Richard Bethoney and his wife Virginia of Brockton, and many nieces and nephews. Michael was predeceased by his brother Matthew Ward
Michael was born and raised in Bronx, NY, and was the oldest of four boys. He was a graduate of Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) in 1958 and St. Helena High School class of 1962. He received his undergraduate degree in history from Marist College in 1966, a second bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Columbia University and a master's degree in physical therapy from New York University. A proud veteran of the United States Army, Michael served as a medic in Pleiku, Vietnam from December 1968 to August 1969.
Michael moved to Middleboro, MA, in 1976, and worked as a Physical Therapist at St. Luke’s Hospital. In 1985 he co-founded Capeway Physical Therapy and served the greater Middleboro community until his retirement and sale of the business in 2012. Michael and Helen spent 5 years enjoying their retirement in Parrish, FL, before moving back to Middleboro to be closer to family.
Always an avid fitness enthusiast, Michael was instrumental in the creation of the first weightlifting team at Marist College. He was a runner and made an annual tradition of preforming his age in pushups on his birthday each year. Michael spent 15 years coaching his children in Middleboro Youth Soccer and served as President of the Middleboro Youth Soccer Association for many years. He turned his children’s passion for the sport into his own and spent many weekends attending games and tournaments that often-entailed fixing many of the muscular ailments faced by players along the way.
Being 100% Irish, Michael fulfilled his lifelong dream when he travelled with Helen back to Ireland in 2005 to meet family in the Castlebar area. Michael lived a life of faith and devotion to God and was a member of Christ Community Church of Taunton, MA, helping to construct their current campus.
Michael will be remembered for his love of his wife and family, his quick wit (he gave new meaning to ‘dad jokes’), his entrepreneurial spirit and intelligence, his ability to dance the twist, and his constant conveyance of advice regarding appropriate body dynamics and physiological awareness, particularly in the use of potholders for spine correction.
Visiting hours will be held at Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home 280 Bedford St Lakeville, MA on Thursday August 25th from 4pm-8pm. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 26th at 10:00AM at Christ Community Church 41 Stevens St. East Taunton, MA 02718.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Christ Community Church at cccfamily.com in his name.
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