Robert M. Ward, 68, of Northford, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2021, at his home in Northford surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of Anita (Siena) Ward for nearly 47 years.
Born November 8, 1952, the son of the late Richard and Joan (Minnick) Ward, Bob was raised in Derby, CT and was a 1970 graduate of Notre Dame High School (West Haven). He then attended the University of Kentucky for one year, then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree cum laude from his beloved University of Connecticut in 1974. He received a Juris Doctor Degree with honors from the University of Cincinnati in 1978, the same year he was admitted to the Connecticut Bar.
Over three decades of public service, Bob made significant contributions to the State of Connecticut. First elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1984 to represent the 86th Assembly District, Bob represented North Branford and parts of East Haven, Guilford, and Wallingford over the course of eleven terms of service.
Widely regarded as a brilliant legislator, he made many friends across both sides of the political aisle. At the same time, Bob was a dedicated husband and father. He coached many of his children’s youth sports teams and never missed an important game or event for his four children.
Bob was elected by his Republican colleagues to serve six terms as House Minority Leader, from 1995 to 2007, making him the longest serving caucus leader in modern Connecticut history.
As House Minority Leader, Bob excelled at working across the political aisle with Democratic leaders, two Republican governors, and a GOP caucus that reached all four corners of the state to forge budgets and policies that often carried the day at the Capitol – no small feat for a minority caucus leader. His legislative skills and political acumen were tested during two seminal events in modern Connecticut history.
In 1995, Bob played a leading role in conceiving and enacting “UConn 2000” a ten year, $1 billion investment in the University of Connecticut which transformed UConn into one of the nation’s preeminent public universities.
In 2004, Bob bore the burden of leading the House Republican caucus through the investigation and eventual resignation of fellow Republican, Governor John Rowland. His honesty and commitment to a non-political impeachment process enabled the orderly transition from Governor Rowland to Governor Rell.
Bob’s skill as a legislator was widely recognized, with Connecticut Magazine’s poll of Legislators twice recognizing Rep. Bob Ward as “Most Effective Legislator” (1994 and 1996) and once as “Most Admired Legislator” (1996).
In 2004, the National Conference of State Legislators awarded him its “Excellence in State Legislative Leadership” award- making him the only minority party caucus leader in the country to ever receive this honor. Finally, in 2006 Bob was given the Connecticut Republican Party’s highest honor—the Prescott Bush Award.
Upon his retirement from the General Assembly, Bob was appointed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell as Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, serving for four years and implementing the state’s graduated license program for young drivers. In 2011, he was chosen by the General Assembly to serve as Auditor of Public Accounts, retiring in 2016. One of his most cherished public service roles was as a member of the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees, a position he held from 2007 to 2010.
Bob was a former member and treasurer of the Northford Volunteer Fire Department-Company No. 2; a former member and past president of the North Branford Jaycees; a former member of the Totoket Historical Society and a former member of the North Branford Education Goals Committee and the North Branford Sesquicentennial Committee. He also enjoyed his distinction as a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
Bob and Anita made a great team in raising their four children and taking part in their eight grandchildren’s lives. Bob enjoyed travel, especially with Anita, after his retirement. He could be seen and often heard rooting for UConn basketball teams with both his children and grandchildren whether in the original Field House, Gampel Pavilion, the Civic Center, or at home on TV. Additionally, Bob cherished holidays and Sunday dinners with his large and loving family. Surviving Bob are: son Michael (Maeve) Ward, grandchildren Benjamin, Riley, Cordelia; 3 daughters, Rebecca (Daniel) Podzikowski, grandchildren, Siena and Sophia; Nicole (Marc) Paradis, grandchildren Carmen and Nina; and Sarah (Michael) Alvarez, grandchild Marcella.
Bob is additionally survived by two brothers, David Ward; Jamie (Diane) Ward; one sister Ellen (Lester) Thees, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The visiting hours will be Thursday, May 13th, 2021 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, North Haven. Family and friends are invited to go directly to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Barnabas Church, 44 Washington Avenue, North Haven on Friday May 14th at 12 Noon to attend a Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to attend the committal service immediately following in the All Saints Mausoleum, North Haven. Memorial Contributions may be made to: Bob Ward Scholarship/North Branford Scholarship Association, PO Box 241. North Branford, CT 06471.
Brilliance in a down to earth humble wrapper. A man that I am proud to have known. His help and advice proved immeasurable to me many, many times especially in 2004. Sincerest condolences to your entire family.
My prayers and condolences to the family. I am so grateful to have been welcomed into the Republican House of Representatives by the Honorable ‘Bob’ Ward in 2002 after a recount winning by one vote. Bob served with my father Joe Ruwet and immediately took this freshman legislator under his wings. His kindness, integrity and humble demeanor was admired by so many and especially by his caucus. He will be remembered fondly.
Bob and I met in 1981 when I was interning for the deputy Republican leader Neal Hanlon and Bob was a sessional counsel for the caucus. We went on to have a long relationship in a variety of capacities especially with my wife Mary Anne serving as Bob’s Chief Counsel. Bob stayed remarkably the same when it came to his humility and how he treated people. Forty years and he was consistently kind, interested and self effacing. Mary Anne and I are honored to have known and worked with Bob and as a bonus to become friends with Anita, a very special person in her own right.
Good bye old friend; Time for all Representatives to return to Chambers to cast the final vote.
Served together many years ago in the State House and our 1980s class is dwindling as “we” end our “final” Legislative duties.
God bless you Bob and you fantastic family. Thanks for all the memories. 😊😪
I have enormous respect and admiration for Bob, with whom I had many interactions over the years. He always had a willing ear even when we may not have agreed on budget or policy matters. Thinking of his brother, David Ward, wife Anita and children and grandchildren. Thank you for your service, Bob, along with your friendship.