[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 29, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN DAVID WARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 29, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise 
today to honor the life of the late John David Ward, of Vernon, 
Connecticut, who passed away surrounded by family on March 17, 2021, at 
the age of 59. As someone who has shared a hometown with John, 
practiced law in the same courts, and witnessed his public service 
firsthand, I can attest to his intelligence, compassion and integrity 
in all his endeavors.
  Born to William and Mary Durkin Ward in Holyoke, Massachusetts, John 
was raised and educated in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts where he 
graduated high school in 1980. As one who always placed value on 
education--John went on to earn a bachelor's degree from the University 
of Massachusetts, Amherst before obtaining his J.D. in 1991 from 
Western New England University's Law School. Equipped with a law 
degree, John quickly transitioned his Massachusetts-based education to 
start his career as an assistant clerk at the Rockville Superior Court. 
After some experience in the courthouse and brief stints with several 
law firms, John ultimately found a place at Liberty Mutual, where his 
specialties included labor relations and worker's compensation law. 
Having gained his full footing in a career that enabled his specialties 
to excel, John settled here in Vernon and we became neighbors. As I 
mentioned earlier, I handled cases in the same courts as John, and he 
was a talented, highly ethical professional who treated clients, fellow 
lawyers and court officials as consummate gentleman and advocate.
  As a resident of Vernon, John developed the roots for his greatest 
passion: community service. This was exemplified early on when he was 
first elected to the Board of Education and then to Vernon's Town 
Council. In 2008, John even decided to leave the insurance business to 
pursue this passion of community service by working in local government 
as the Town Administrator for Vernon, serving in this role over the 
course of three mayoral administrations. During his tenure as Town 
Administrator, John directed renovations of the old mills and secured a 
new senior center for our neighboring residents. In 2011, John placed 
himself on the front lines of emergency service in Vernon when 
Connecticut was hit with the ``Snowtober'' nor'easter. Outside working 
for the town in a more official capacity, he often volunteered as a 
``pit parent'' for the high school marching band. In fact, he coached 
and help raised Vernon's youngest generation through numerous youth 
sports including basketball, soccer and football.
  It is worth noting that John's love for public service stayed with 
him into his latest years. In 2017, John made the switch to serve as 
the Town Manager in Granby, Connecticut where he brought the force of 
his passion for community service. John also went on to fuse together 
his enthusiasm for learning and public service, earning a master's 
degree in Public Administration from the University of Connecticut in 
2019.
  Madam Speaker, it is an honor to represent constituents as honorable 
and impactful as John. John's commitment to our town became a part of 
his life blood, causing him to touch the hearts of many in our 
community. While we all mourn the early loss of John, we can at least 
find solace that his story and memory live on in others, including his 
wife of more than 25 years, Wendy, and children James, Joe, Elizabeth 
and David. I find it fitting that we, the People's House, honor John's 
name and character. I ask that the entire House join me in recognizing 
the life of John David Ward, never forgetting the importance of serving 
the community.

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