Edward M. Ward
Edward M. Ward, age 82, of Darien, formerly of LaGrange Highlands, passed away peacefully at his home on August 18, 2023. He was born on January 29, 1941, the son of the late Richard and Irene (Harrison) Ward. He was united in marriage to Dale (Tripamer) Ward on August 28, 1969, in LaGrange.
Ed spent his formative years on the west side of Chicago with his parents and two older brothers. He caught the music bug early in life, and by the time he was a junior in high school, he had a musician’s union card and was starting to play trumpet professionally. He continued playing during his college years at DePaul where he graduated in 1963. After college, he played trumpet with a variety of bands at countless venues in Chicago and across the U.S.
In 1959, he began teaching music at several west suburban schools including St. Cletus in LaGrange, St. Louise de Marillac in LaGrange Park, St. Barbara in Brookfield, St. Joe’s in Westchester, Mater Christi in North Riverside, and others. For many years, he led a Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) band composed of high school and college all-star musicians from the Chicago area. They toured the U.S, Canada, Mexico, and Europe and earned numerous international awards. In 1969, he was inducted into the CYO Club of Champions for his work.
In 1973, he and his wife, Dale, opened The Bandstand, a musical instrument store in Brookfield, and they operated it until 1996.
In 1986, he was elected treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Musicians. He served single terms as treasurer, secretary-treasurer, and vice-president before serving three terms as president from 1996 until his retirement in 2004. He negotiated contracts for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera Orchestra of Chicago, and many other orchestras in the Chicagoland area. He was a tough but well-respected union negotiator.
He served on the executive and pension boards of the American Federation of Musicians; on the DePaul University School of Music Advisory Board; on the Chicago Federation of Labor Executive Board Finance Committee; and on the Illinois Arts Council. He was the commencement speaker at DePaul’s School of Music graduation in 2007 and received an honorary doctorate from the university.
Ed will be remembered fondly by scores of students, fellow musicians, and friends, whose lives he touched with his sense of humor and his passion for music.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dale, one son, Thomas (Dru Nielsen) Ward, two grandchildren, Grady and Ryder Ward, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard and Robert Ward, and two sisters-in-law, Mary Therese (Keating) Ward and Yvonne (Partipilo) Ward.
Visitation 3 to 9pm on Friday, August 25th at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th Street, Countryside. Visitation continues at the funeral home on Saturday, August 26th from 8:30am until time of chapel prayers, 9:30am. Mass at St. Cletus Church, LaGrange will follow at 10am. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. Funeral information: 708-352-6500
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, c/o Fr. Scott Donahue, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607-9952 or to the Ed Ward Fine Arts Series, PO Box 733, LaGrange, IL 60525.
Dale, I am so very sorry for your loss… Sending my love and prayers!!!
Ed was a good influence on me, and always up. One year at St. Joe’s in 1967, but we talked occasionally over the years as I continued as a pro musician, often on the road, for many years. RIP, Ed.
Always enjoyed your up beat personality. Rest in peace my friend.
Rich Corpolongo
Ed , when you were in high school at St. Mel the band consisted of future musicians that continued in the business. All the alumni’s are proud of your contributions. Rest in peace.
Dale, how very sorry I am to hear of Ed’s passing.
There is nothing more I can say to make it easier on you and the family.
May God grant him a restful sleep and you peace that he is with God.
Love.
My most heartfelt sympathy to you Dale and family. Ed touched so many lives through grade school music programs, CUP and The Bandstand. Cherish your precious memories.
Ed, you were the best. I had the fortune of making the flag bearers new uniforms when my sister Karen was in the CYO band practicing in the parking lot at St. Cletus Parish. Those were fun and enjoyable days . Thank you!
Barbara Zykan
A force of nature, the best of neighbors, a smile you could count on. So many wonderful memories of you, Eddie. You will be sorely missed! Pinochle in heaven!
Love, Ginny
You were a wonderful band director. it was obvious you loved what you did and that was transmitted to us in the band.
As a musician at the CSO for many years, and as a negotiator working side by side with Ed on our contracts, I got to know and respect him. We all greatly appreciated his great sense of humor and unflagging support.
I am deeply saddened to read this news. Ed was a wonderful man and a gifted negotiator. His wise counsel and unwavering support were hugely important and helpful to me.
RIP, Ed, and my condolences to Dale and their family.
My deep condolences to you and yours, Dale. Ed was always a joy to be around, and we were all blessed to know him.
May fond memories bring joy and peace.
Rich Armandi
Ed, it was great to negotiate along side you on behalf of the Lyric Opera Orchestra. Your sense of humor always had a way of relieving tension in the room. Rest in Peace knowing that all your work was deeply appreciated. My deepest condolences to Dale and family.
My condolences to his family and my gratitude for all he did. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.
My heartfelt condolences to the family. May he always be remembered for his work here on earth.
Ed was both a fierce advocate for musicians and a kind hearted gentleman who could tell a joke and have everyone laughing in seconds. Thanks for your friendship and all you did for your fellow musicians. Rest in peace.
My condolences to Dale and your family.
I remember Ed representing me in my first ever grievance, in the early ’90s….and helping me realize that standing up for myself was correct and not necessarily super scary. When I saw him 10 years ago or so, he remembered me as being “feisty”. Well, feisty is as feisty does, ED, and you were a great example of feistiness tempered with humor and common sense. A huge loss. RIP and condolences to the family.
Dear Dale:
Patricia’s and my heart goes out to you at this time of your loss, Ed’s passsing is a loss to us as well. You are in our prayers. God bless you both, and your entire family. Some of my fondest memories regarding the music business, and CFM union affairs center around your wonderful husband, Ed.
Love, Patrick and Patricia Ferreri
So sorry to hear of his passing. A life well lived. Condolences to the family
Sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. Ed was a wonerful 10-208 Pres and pal. Condolences to the family.
Dale I am so sorry. He was a great guy and friend to me. He will be missed and left a mark in me and so many of his friends. So thankful that you and Ed came to se me in florida. My condolences to you and your family. Please let me know if there’s anything i can do to help you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Ed’s namesake nephew Ed helped make his Uncle Ed an honorary member at poker nights of our Indian Guides Pawnee tribe. (He may have been further honored with favorable odds given lesser experience of Pawnee dads)
Great memories of Pawnee pool parties as well. With thanks for his life and sympathy to his family, Pawnee Dads
I’m so sorry Dale. Ed was a warm, kind man with a ready wit. He helped negotiate contracts for the Grant Park Symphony at a difficult time. We will miss him.
Dale,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Ed always believed in me and was a great friend to my whole family through the years. You are in my prayers. Sorry I cannot make the services as I am having a knee replaced on Friday.
Ed spread joy and kindness wherever he went. It was a privilege to know Ed, and I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Dale and the Ward family. We are grateful for his service to DePaul’s School of Music–his efforts inspired us all. The entire Chicago musical community benefited from his dedication to excellence, fairness, and integrity, and Ed will be greatly missed.
Amy and I are so sad to hear about Ed’s passing. I have many wonderful memories of conversations with Ed. His smile and joy were infectious. I am very grateful to you both for your grace, kindness, humor, and support, and happy that I got to see you both at the Jazz Showcase a few years ago. I’m so sorry for your loss, Dale. Please accept our deepest condolences. 🙏
Dear Dale and children
Dick and myself are not musicians but felt Ed’s good nature and generous spirit. Whenever we asked Ed to help with Holy Name’s Turkey Raffle at St . Cletus parish, he was more than willing to contribute.
Ed especially wanted to remember the faculty at the school where he taught for many years. We will miss his wonderful smile and personality.
Our deepest and most sincere condolences to Dale, the family and friends of Ed. So glad we had the pleasure of meeting this special man. We know he will be dearly missed.
Ed- you were the first person I met on my first day of work, on the first day of my career. Through the 7 years at Nazareth Academy and Fenwick you always kept checking on me. Thank you for getting me involved with the CYO Band and for having me play the Fenwick musicals. I learned a ton from watching you!
I think about those days often. My prayers go out to your family. Rest in peace.
I first met Ed (Mr. Ward) in 1961 as a 4th grader at St. Cletus. He instructed me in trombone, then sousaphone. Those early years of playing brass instruments stayed with me through high school and college. (I wasn’t a music major.) I returned those same years to the CYO Band during the summers which were delightful to be part of. It’s because of him I have enjoyed band and symphonic music throughout my life. It’s unfortunate to say there have been very few inspirational music teachers of his caliber.
To Ed and his family, a heartfelt thank you; prayers to you all!
Dale and Tom,
My condolences to you and your families. I am just one of many people Ed had a significant impact on. Ed started me on trumpet in the 4th grade. The CYO band he directed provided me a tremendous growth opportunity and many fond memories, especially the 4th of July parades, concerts and picnics. Ed made music fun, interesting and challenging. He was the epitome of a music educator. Because of Ed, music is still an important part of my life.
May God have mercy on Ed’s soul and may God bless and console you,
Dear Dale and Tommy
So very sorry for your loss. Ed ward inspired many people including my brother Dan Pinda and I ( Jane Pinda Hansen). May Ed’s perpetual light shine upon all of you and his memory and inspiration live on in many. God bless you and your families- we all know he’s leading, organizing and directing a band in Heaven- thoughts and prayers Jane and Dan Pinda
I attended St Cletus and I dreamt of playing the flute and sitting first chair. I would ask Mr Ward a million questions about band even when I was only old enough to play the fluephone. Mr Ward was one of those teachers that changed lives. He taught me if I worked hard enough that I could sit first chair, and I did. Over the years I’ve spoken of him and his impact on my life with my kids and friends. I’ve always joked that I did so well in sales because I sold band popcorn to win a TV/Radio at the band pool party. All of my children have been in band and my grandchildren will start soon. His love of music lives on through all of those he taught.
Dale and Tom,
I’m majorly saddened that I just learned that Ed died. I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Ed, and his frequent partner Randy Szostek, had a huge influence on my early life though both the CYO bands and the St. Joseph High School band.
My favorite memory of Ed came after the trauma I had at a band competition in Plainfield in the late 70’s…
After accidently marching over the poorly marked line at the front of the football field with a visually-limiting type of shoulder tuba, I forced myself to do what we were always told to do: “If you go over the line stay over the line!”, (to prevent a large penalty for going back on to the field). I then stood “at attention” for nearly seven minutes while the band finished the show behind me. After rejoining my ranks as the band marched off the field, I was a wreck.
“Mr. Ward” as I knew him then, quicky and calmly came over to me and said, “Jim, it wasn’t your fault. The field was badly marked. You did what we told you to do.” He then smiled and said, “It wasn’t what you intended to do, but in the end, you probably saved us several full points in marching and maneuvering errors! You created a diversion; the field judges kept looking over to see what was going on with you and away from the band!”
Whether or not that claim was “embellished”, I will never forget that moment of brilliant kindness on Ed’s part.
I’m so glad that I got to see Ed again a few years ago at the St. Joe’s reunion event for students in various arts programs and thank him in person for all of his support and effort during my years in both bands.
He will certainly be missed by many.
Ed was a special human being. A true character and a true mensch.
Dear Dale,
So sorry to learn of Ed’s death. He helped create my love of music starting at age 10 at St. Cletus band. I started out on that awful alto horn! I sat next to you in the CYO Band playing French Horn. Such fun! I still play horn to this day in the Pleasanton Community Concert Band in California. I thank Ed for teaching me 60 years ago! He left a legacy through all of his students. I was at band rehearsal tonight when my sister forwarded his obituary. Take the fine’,Mr. Ward and rest in peace.
Very sorry to hear Dale and Ward family. From St. Cletus to the CYO Band Ed was a significant part of my life and the entire Bill n Marion Murray family. So many good memories of Ed. He taught so many of us how to play musical instruments. Me, the clarinet! Always seemed a fun loving, very positive family focused guy who loved music n blew a mean horn. Will never forget the CYO trip to Mexico’ Love to the family