SPRINGFIELD CENTER - Hiram Ward Jr., age 78, passed away early Thursday morning, Aug. 19, 2010, at Otsego Manor, with family by his side. Born in 1931, on Nov. 5, the son of the late Hiram Ward and Nellie Smith Ward. He was educated in VanHornesville School, and then joined the Navy at 17 as a fireman recruit, USN-1 U.S.S. Bairoko CVE-115, where he served for four years with an honorable discharge. He enjoyed photography, hunting, fishing, and could often be found at the Springfield boat launch on Otsego Lake. He loved to travel and spent time in Florida, Georgia, but his favorite state was Texas, he was most always seen in cowboy hats and snake skin boots. Among Hiram's various jobs he worked as a mechanic for a Texas trucking company, co-manager at a motel in Florida, and lastly as a body man for Chucks Towing in Richfield Springs. Hiram spent his later years caring for "Harmony Row," a home owned by Dr. Germaine Connelly in Springfield Center. It was his sanctuary where he lived out his remaining years in tranquility, often visited by good friends who he loved to cook for. He leaves behind Wayne and daughter-in-law Cathy Ward of Richfield Springs, Mathew and daughter-in-law Jackie Ward of Ilion, Robin and son-in-law Craig Wightman of Schuyler Lake; daughter, Deidre Ward of Mohawk; William and daughter-in-law Barb Ward of Richfield Springs, Melanie Ward of Georgia; a sister, Ruth Schultz; and good friends, Germaine Connelly, Russell and Carol Westerman and Jim Hurley. He also leaves behind 17 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Roseann Marmet; and nephews, Craig, Tim and Shane Marmet. Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010, in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James St., Richfield Springs. The Rev. Alan Miller, pastor of the Richfield Springs Bible Church, will officiate. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the funeral service 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be at the discretion of the family in the Fort Plain Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Otsego Manor, 128 Phoenix Mills Cross Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Departments or the Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.