Eugene J. Ward

“Poppy”

Eugene (Gene) J. Ward of Langhorne, PA died peacefully on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at Chandler Hall Hospice in Newtown, PA surrounded by his family. He was 83.

He was the beloved husband of Mary B. McCloskey Ward for 61 years. Born in Reading, PA and raised in West Philadelphia, he was the son of the late George and Helen Alter Ward and brother of the late Francis Ward, George Ward, Mary Palmer and Patricia Goggin.

Gene was a resident of Langhorne for the past ten years and formerly lived in Kendall Park, NJ for 30 years. He was a highly accomplished sales executive in the food industry. Upon graduating from St. Thomas More High School in 1949, Gene landed a job as a sales manager with Potts Ice Cream. From there, he had a 20-year tenure with the Keebler Biscuit Company, followed by ten years with Good Humor Corp. He additionally worked at Jack & Jill Ice Cream, and held an executive sales position with Fieldbrook Foods Corp. until his very recent "official" retirement.

Gene’s most cherished roles in life, however, were those as father to his children and “Poppy” to his six beloved grandchildren, whom he spoiled endlessly with heartfelt generosity. “What does Poppy say?” he would ask them. “We can have anything we want!” was the well-rehearsed response.

A true family man, nothing made him happier than spending time with his family, whether celebrating birthdays and other family milestones, attending sports and school functions, or gathering to watch and cheer on his beloved Phillies and Eagles. For 27 consecutive years, Gene treated his family to an annual vacation at Sea Isle City, NJ. Memories of days on the beach, cream donuts each morning from Maryanne’s Pastry Shoppe, popsicles and ice cream galore, dinners at Groff’s Restaurant and nights on the boardwalk, will be treasured always by his family.

Gene also loved traveling, and he and his wife enjoyed trips to Ireland and China, as well as many cruises, including his last in October 2014.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Maureen A. Potkay and her husband, Douglas, of Yardley, PA, and their children, Meghan Greene (Cooper), Michael Potkay and Katie Potkay; his son, George J. Ward and his wife, Wendy, of Newtown, PA, and their children, Jessica, Kimberly and Robby Ward; and Brian J. Ward and his wife, Kelly, of Somerset, NJ. He is also survived by two brothers, William Ward of Reading, PA and Edward Ward of Springfield, PA.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewings on Friday evening, February 6, 2015, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and Saturday, February 7, 2015, from 8:30 to 9:15 AM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Road (at Holland Road), Richboro, PA l8954 and to his Funeral Mass 10:00 AM at the Olde Church of Saint Andrew, 135 S. Sycamore Street, Newtown, PA l8940. Interment will take place at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the St. Thomas More Alumni Association, P.O. Box 294, Drexel Hill, PA, 19026.