Stephen M. Ward
June 23, 1952 ~ April 3, 2026
Born in:
Detriot, MI
Resided in:
St. James, NY
Stephen was born in Detroit, Michigan , on June 23, 1952, and passed away on April 3, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Steve was a devoted husband to his wife, Allison, and a proud, loving father to his son, Matthew. His family was the center of his world, and he cherished every moment spent with them.
He had a deep love for boats and being around water, where he found peace and happiness.
Steve also enjoyed traveling and created many special memories with his family and extended family as they explored different places together.
His love of animals was truly endless. One cherished memory is of him rescuing a baby duckling from a nearby duck and safely returning it to its mother-a simple act that reflected his kind and gentle nature.
Steve will be remembered for his warmth, his love for his family, and the quiet compassion he showed to both people and animals.
He is survived by his wife, Allison; his son, Matthew; his brother, James; his sister Amara; many nieces and nephews; and his two beloved cats, Willow and Oliver.
In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to the Guide Dog Foundation (See link below)
Services
Visitation:
Thursday, April 9, 2026
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Branch Funeral Home Smithtown
190 E. Main St.
SMITHTOWN, NY 11787
Service:
Friday, April 10, 2026
10:00 am
Branch Funeral Home Smithtown
190 E. Main St.
SMITHTOWN, NY 11787
Interment:
Friday, April 10, 2026
11:15 am
Queen of All Saints Cemetery
115 Wheeler Road
CENTRAL ISLIP, NY 11722
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Stephen M. Ward 's name.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
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May Stephen’s love and fond memories stay strong in your hearts til one day when you all reunite again. All our love,
Kathleen and John Arcarola
It is so hard to believe and accept that you are gone from this physical world, and especially with you being my younger “little” brother, it feels so painful and heartbreaking, the tears keep flowing. And that you suffered so much from the cancer (and other health conditions), but with courage, strength, and hope for your recovery, seems so unfair. As you often said “it is what it is” which is an inspiration to me about acceptance – yes doing all one can to change the circumstances, but then acceptance for what is needed to be done and for what cannot be changed.
Thank you Steve for all your love and caring, kindness, compassion, and support, protecting me if needed, and the same for all our family. Thank you also for your love and compassion for animals, especially beloved dogs Molly, Tucker, and Serena; kitties Emmet and Bailey; and kitties Willow and Oliver; and my beloved Bobbi Bird when she stayed with you and Allison for a time. (Oh also when we were children, our beloved dogs Skippy and Lassie, and various parakeets!) Thank you for all the good times we had, and wonderful memories; for your great sense of humor and having us laughing at Thanksgiving and Christmas family dinners; for the good conversations, especially political ones; for your intelligence and excellent knowledge of history and so much more, and gosh I had not known you tried out for “Jeopardy” twice! (finding this and more from our brother Jim’s wonderful eulogy for you). Thank you for your openness and interest in the spiritual world and spiritual growth, and spending time in India at Bhagwan’s ashram when I was there also in 1976, and even becoming for a time a disciple of Bhagwan, an Enlightened Spiritual Master, now known as Osho. It was also beautiful that you had some spiritual experiences in your last few weeks in the hospital, which hopefully was a comfort to you. My and our gratitude to you for all these and so much more. Thank you for being my wonderful brother. I love you very much Steve and miss you, until we meet again.
Now I know you are “home” in the heavenly realms, with Mum and Dad and other loved ones gone on before, “in the arms of the angels” and in your body of light, no longer with physical suffering. Your love and light live on always. Rest in peace and love dear one. God bless you. love from Amara
It’s so hard to express my sorrow over losing you. The love we shared as brothers is profound and so hard to put into words. Since your passing I have had a flood of childhood memories. You, Amara and I share our unique story growing up as kids. I feel like your voice and perspective of our experience is now silent. This saddens me greatly.
Thinking about going forward without you Steve leaves me with a gaping hole but I will continue to know and feel your love, your wit, your smarts, your gentleness and your presence always.
i love you Steve.
Peace and love from Elissa, Chris and Maddie
At least he is no longer in pain and has moved on to another world nearer your Mum & Dad.
Sending love and prayers, David & Sylvia xx
(copied from FB Messenger, April 3, 2026, 11:45 am)
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Angels bless us both. Thank you for your messages. Something that helped me a lot is Steve Nobel’s video meditation healing on grief (on my wall).
(from FB Messenger, April 10, 2026)
Such deep and beautiful eulogies you wrote. What wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime. May the love and shared experiences that gave you strength when your dear brother was in physical form, now nurture and bring comfort to your hearts. May he rest in peace, rise in the Light, and be forever surrounded by love. God Bless you all.
With Love,
Sid Whitkin
(from Facebook Messenger, April 25, 2026)