Fitzgerald Ward

   On October 19, 2019 at the age of 93, Fitzgerald Ward peacefully transitioned into his eternal home with Jesus.  Fitz enjoyed life to the fullest and completed his race with grace.  He was born December 8, 1925 in Hoytes, Barbados to the late Errie and Elma Ward.  Fitz was the third child in a large family of at least 10 children.  He describes his childhood as very happy, mischievous, spending most of his time with his grandmother.
At an early age, Fitz developed a strong work ethic.  He liked to earn money, travel, dance and enjoy life.  When he was 16 he experienced his first overseas trip as a farm laborer in Missouri, USA.  He worked in a beet farm.  At the end of the season, Fitz returned to Barbados  and bought a bicycle with the money he earned from his hard work.
   Fitz loved to travel and starting in his twenties he worked as a ship porter docking at many foreign ports including Aruba, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Spain, South Africa, England and Guyana.  It was in Guyana that Fitz' life changed significantly when he met and married Eloise (Janet) Robertson.  Fitz and Janet were married for 63 years.  They were blessed with two children, Ann and Charleen.  Fitz also loved to have money in his pocket.  (His personal slogan was that "we need the money".). So Fitz was always seeking opportunities to advance, such as working in the gold and diamond fields of Guyana, like his father he was an excellent house painter.  Fitz and family migrated to NJ, USA in the mid-70's and he was so excited that he was going to "make it big".  Fitz' desire was always to better support his family.  He worked in construction and finally was a security guard at Louis Berger Group.
   Fitz loved gardening and for several years had an admirable rose collection.    He could hardly wait for the spring to begin growing bushels of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, only to give most away to his neighbors and friends. 
   Another life changing experience occurred when Fitz was 75 years old.  He received Christ as his  savior.  (At the time, Fitz admitted that the reason he went to church was so that he would have a church funeral when the time came.  That was 18 years ago.). But God had a better plan for Fitz' life.  His spiritual journey with Jesus was real, deep and impacted so many lives.  He was water-baptized and joined FFM.  Fitz did not miss a church service (at least twice a week), loved the Word of God and could recite, verbatim, bible passages (Psalms 91) and Fitz prayed fervently for his family.  He joined the church prayer group a few weeks before his passing.  Fitz also received communion weekly.  Also, Fitz became "father" to many adult children.
   In his latter years, Fitz experienced health challenges, but exhibited great strength and never let anything separate him from the love of God or loving his family.  In his eighties, two precious grandchildren came into Fitz' life, Cherish and Emma who brought great joy and extended his long life.  And Fitz went from being the best dad in the world to the best "dada".  Thru all these years, Fitz never wavered in demonstrating his love and care to his family.   Fitz was very funny and made others laugh, especially when playing dominoes.  And he was an avid METS fan.
   Fitz leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Eloise Ward, children, Andrea and Charleen,  grandchildren, Cherish and Emma; brothers Rupert (Canada) and Malcolm (Barbados), sisters, (all in Barbados), Dean, Arminta,  and Jeannette, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, dear friends and EPIC Church International family.  Dad's legacy - awesome commitment to God, his family and friends and generous with all his resources, especially his money. 
A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 23rd from 10-11am at Epic Church International located at 2707 Main Street Extension, Sayreville, NJ 08872.  A funeral service will follow at the Church at 11am. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery of Middletown, NJ.
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