In lieu of flowers, donations would be graciously accepted to the American Heart Association or the First Presbyterian Church of Babylon (attention deacons’ fund).

Peter Paul Ward was born on April 25, 1987 in West Islip, NY to Peter K. and Deborah E. Ward. He was a caring son to Peter and Deborah and a loving older brother to Matthew K. Ward. He was also a faithful Christian and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Babylon, where he served as a Deacon. From a young age, Peter was an avid reader, writer, and artist, producing an impressive body of work that includes poetry, prose, and illustration. His love of history, literature, and the natural sciences led him to earn degrees in English, History, and Biology from Stony Brook University and a Master of Library Sciences degree from Queens College. Professionally, Peter worked as local history librarian at Brentwood Public Library, as a historical consultant for Brentwood School District, and proudly served as historian for the Brentwood Historical Society. As town historian, Peter helped protect and preserve a number of historic sites and chronicled the unique history of Brentwood, producing substantial original research on the development of that community. In his free time, Peter enjoyed going on nature walks, fishing (both reel and fly), reading, writing, drawing, and performing standup comedy. Peter is survived by his parents Peter and Deborah, his brother Matthew, and his sister-in-law Ana, who love him very much and who will work to preserve his stellar legacy. Peter was and is a beautiful soul who, in the words of his favorite poet Walt Whitman, truly “contained multitudes.” A wake for Peter will be held at The Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home in West Islip, NY on Thursday, August 29 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 PM. Church services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Babylon on the morning of Friday, August 30th. The family of Peter would like to thank all friends and family who have reached out with support and encouragement during this time.

“I pass death with the dying, and birth with the new-washed babe …and am not contained between my hat and boots, And peruse manifold objects, no two alike, and every one good, The earth good, and the stars good, and their adjuncts all good.” - Walt Whitman, Song of Myself