Parker J. Ward, Jr., M.D.

Parker James Ward, Jr., M.D., passed away on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at his home. He was 88 years old.

Born in Winsted, CT on All Saints Day, November 1, 1934, he was the son of the late Parker J. Ward, Sr., and Mary Alice (McAvoy) Ward. He spent his childhood and adolescent years in Norwich, NY where he met his high school sweetheart, Mary Carmela Schepis, who survives. They were married for 64 years.

Parker graduated from an accelerated undergraduate/medical school program at The University of Michigan in 1958 and then completed his general surgery residency program at Bellevue Hospital, NYU Division in New York City. He had vivid memories of this time and he loved to recount them at family gatherings.

He was a highly respected general surgeon in Norwich, NY and practiced until the age of 75. At times, Parker served as the only general surgeon in Chenango County. He adored his work.

Despite his storied career, Parker was most proud of his family. He and Mary had six children and fourteen grandchildren, many of whom have pursued careers in the medical field.

He is survived by his six children, Dr. Anna Marie Ward (Joseph Caezza), Dr. Debra Buchan, Mary Elizabeth Ward (David Eck), Parker James Ward III (Kathy), Dr. Margaret Mary Wells (Todd), and Dr. Peter Michael Ward (Marie). His legacy includes fourteen grandchildren, Elizabeth and Julia Simcoe, Kathryn Bellavance, Kristen Rile, Andrew and Dr. Mark Herring, Marisa Ward, Katelyn Mooney, Lauren Raps, Sarah Souza, Matthew Wells, Timothy Wells, Dr. Marybeth and Susan Ward; as well as nine great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Mary Ellen (Onnie) Lovell. He is survived by six siblings, Dr. Horace Ward, Dr. Peter Ward (his identical twin), Patricia Armstrong, Mary Ellen Middlebrook, Michael Ward, and Katrina Ward Hope.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Parker will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Church of St. Bartholomew. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Christopher Reeve Foundation at christopherreeve.org or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org