Palm Harbor, FL – Frank Otis Ward, 94, passed away Tuesday December 16, 2025, with family at his side following a period of failing health.

Born May 5, 1931, in Rochester, NH he was the son of the late Charles Otis Ward and Lovisia (Garland) Ward. He was predeceased by his wife, Blanche, his sisters Barbara L’Heureux, and Nancy Lee LaDuke

Prior to joining the US Marine Corps on 29 DEC 1950 in Portland Maine he worked at the Cocheco Warlen Mfg. Co as a millworker in the Spinner industry.

He was wounded in combat during his time in Korea, sustaining a right leg injury from multiple bullet wounds. On 31 Mar 1956 he was released from Active duty to assume inactive status on “Temporary Disability Retired List “He received the Korean Service Metal w/4, UN Service Metal, National Defense Service Metal, Korean FUC as well as the Good Conduct Service Metal. He was Honorably Discharged 30 Sep-1958.

He later worked as a carpenter for many years in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Ohio and Florida.

Frank had a love of animals. These include many cats, dogs, and horses well as a monkey.

He was also active in owning and training Harness racing horses all over New England to different racetracks and fairgrounds. Some of these locations are Plainridge, Scarborough Downs, Cumberland Fair, Rochester Fair, and Rockingham Park.

He learned about care, training, and shoeing of his horses from his grandfather. He was the Owner and Trainer of his horses: Speedy Val from 1987, Level Jerry 1989, Mr. Rochester 1989, Baby Boom Baby 1992 with a New Track Record. Giant Moment 1998, American Winter 1999 (new Lifetime Mark – New Track Record for Plainridge Racecourse. Then his final horse before retiring and moving to Florida was Queponco Magic from 2001 until September 2005 in the Rochester Fair. On his 74th birthday his horse came in, in first place at Scarborough Downs. He insisted that his wife and daughter to be in the winner’s circle with Queponco Magic. On April 16, 2002, Queponco Magic, a two-time track record holder at Plainridge Racecourse, made a triumphant return to the racing wars.

Members of his family include his daughter Barbara Marshall and her husband Dan of Palm Harbor, FL; his brother Donald Ward and wife, Dot of Rochester, NH. He had many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Frank had a longtime friend, George Chanberlain, for more than 50 years. They bought, trained and cared for their horses. They helped each other and visited from Florida to New Hampshire. Phone conversations with anyone made his day. Visits were extra special. He would always say: Can you believe it, George came to visit here, his sister Barbara with her daughter Karol and companion Donna, his great niece, Deanna, her aunt, Patti and mother Cindy also visited him in his final 8 years.

A little about my Dad. He loved to read, go out for breakfast, go for a drive, anything to be out of the house. He loved family, family dinners, watching his first soccer game when Christian was 4. Watching Dominic and Christian play or train for soccer... He even went to games when Dominic coached. He went to the Rays Professional baseball game when he was 92. We made trips to New Hampshire together and separate. His final trip was to see his great-grandson Ryan and his three kids (Hazel, Trinity, and Ryan Jr.). The youngest Ryan Jr. (little Ryan) as I like to call him and Ryan Sr.’s fiancé Morgyn. We went swimming and Dad played fish on the bed. This was a hard trip. Dad was uncomfortable physically from the drive. He enjoyed his time with Ryan’s family BUT said this was his last trip. He still could make out figures although he could not see a face. We described everything for him.

My Dad was always cleanshaven and dressed impeccably. He loved to dress up for church and wear his cross daily. Holidays are when I decorate the house, inside and out. When he became totally blind, I would describe what we were seeing, what was on his dinner plate and where…3, 6, 9 or 12 o’clock.

Dad smoked until he was 93. He started when he was 10. He stopped cold turkey. He wanted to do whatever the family was doing. The biggest surprise to me was when I was going to be baptized in September 2023. He asked me why I wanted to do this submersion Baptism at the beach. I told him I have grown in my understanding of the scriptures and want to proclaim my faith before my church congregation. He said he did too, that he did an infant baptism and hadn’t completed his Catechism in the Catholic church, so we had our meeting with our pastor and were baptized with 15 other people that day.

My Dad would be very proud to see the people that came to visit him and call him in his final 18 months of life. Many of them are here BUT many more are in Florida. Our church Pastors Keith and Cathy, and congressional care visited when he was in the hospital, rehab facility, and hospice.

He was generous with his time from walking the dog, Buster at the park every morning, supporting our church, FEAST FOOD PANTRY for a year, Florida Children’s Home to name a few. He said always be humble and remember where you came from. Honor our veterans, those who were disabled, and those that serve. He didn’t talk about the war much because he would relive his time in Korea.

In conclusion, I will never forget you, I see you at home, in the car and when I look at the many pictures. I have at least 5 photo albums to look at and reminisce. You will live on in your 20 years with us, the last 8 or 9 years living in this multi-generational household. All our Love.