Gorham – Gordon M. Ward, a longtime resident of Gorham, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2025, at the age of 86.
Gordon was born in Waterville, Maine on November 16, 1938, the beloved son of Esther and Malon Ward. His family moved to Portland where he graduated from Deering High School in 1956. He continued his education at Maine Maritime Academy, graduating 3rd in the class of 1959, launching a long and successful career in the merchant marines.
In 1963 Gordon married Victoria Randall, from Portland, Maine, to whom he was married 24 years. The couple resided in New York City while Gordon worked for Mobil Oil Corporation. They returned to Portland where they started their family before moving to Laurel, Maryland in 1968. Gordon taught marine engineering in Baltimore at the Calhoon MEBA (Marine Engineer’s Beneficial Association) Engineering School to U.S. Coast Guard cadets working to obtain their marine engineering licenses. He was a popular teacher for his knowledge, excellent communication skills, and his fairness.
Gordon returned to sailing as a marine engineer in 1976 and rising to the position of chief engineer on the SS Puerto Rico, sailing between the east coast of the US and Puerto Rico. In 1977 Gordon and Victoria returned to Maine, settling in Gorham, where they raised their four children, shared many wonderful years, making happy memories, and lifelong friends. Gordon enjoyed boating, Sebago Lake, taking long scenic Maine drives, sight-seeing, and the Red Sox.
In 1989 the MEBA Union merged with the NMU (National Maritime Union), jeopardizing the MEBA pension plan and creating unrest among union members. Gordon led dissatisfied members, organizing a committee, Members Advocating Democracy (MAD), to oppose the incumbent leadership. The MAD slate overwhelmingly won the union election and Gordon became the Union President in 1992. He relocated to Maryland to serve his post in Baltimore and Washington D.C. During his tenure he preserved the pension plan and expanded members’ job opportunities. He retired in 1994 and returned to Maine.
In 2011 at his 55th high school reunion, he was reintroduced to a classmate, Nancy Sewall, and a romance quickly ensued. The two married in 2015 and enjoyed many joyful years of retirement in Maine and Florida.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Stephen Ward, and his brother, Alan Ward. Gordon is survived by his wife Nancy; daughters, Susan Moore and Kathryn Ward (Michael Davis), and son Kenneth Ward; four grandchildren, Shawn Moore, Scarlett Moore, Stephen Graham, and Marin Graham.