Obituary of S.A. Blake Ward

Ward, S.A. Blake, Q.C. of Chatham, passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Tuesday February 17, 2015, age 93. Loving husband of the late Sybil (nee Fisher). Father of Kathleen Ward of Toronto,Ontario and Rosemary Ward of Chatham, Ontario. Brother of Olive Osborne (previously Beaton) of Ridgetown, Ontario. Survived by several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents, Andrew T. Ward and Ada M. (nee Roadhouse) of Ridgetown, sister Kathleen Faulkner of Des Moines, Iowa and sister Dorothy Cochran of Ridgetown. Blake was a life long resident of the Chatham area, growing up in Ridgetown and returning to Chatham after attending the University of Western Ontario, a stint in the military during the WWII years and Osgoode Hall Law School and articling in Toronto. He joined the law firm of Ralph D. Steele, Q.C, in Chatham. He was appointed Crown Attorney for the County of Kent March 1, 1956 and served in that position until his retirement in 1987. Blake was a member of the Kent County Law Association and the Ontario Crown Attorneys' Association during his professional years, serving a term as president of both. He was also active in the community as a member of the Chatham Rotary Club and was a life member of the Children's Aid Society and a member of the Chatham Public Library Board and First Presbyterian Church where he served on the Board of Managers, as Trustee, and sang in the choir for over 30 years. Visitation will be held at the McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair St., Chatham on Friday February 20, 2015 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. The funeral service will be held on Saturday February 21, 2015 at 2pm at First Presbyterian Church, 60 Fifth St. South, Chatham. Cremation to follow with interment at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham at a later date. Light lunch and tea to follow at the McKinlay Reception Centre. Donations in memory of Blake may be arranged through the funeral home to the Chatham - Kent Community Foundation - Sybil and Blake Ward Fund, Rotary International or a charity of choice. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com. McKinlay Funeral Home 459 St. Clair St, Chatham 519-351-2040