After multiple miraculous comebacks, renowned Fictioneer and Spinner of Yarns, Thomas Edward Ward passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2026. He was 74 years old.

Tommy grew up in Essex Junction, Vermont, and spent summers lakeside at the family camp on Colchester Point. According to his brothers, he was the toughest of them all and excelled at several sports, his most infamous being flag football where he would “rattle your timbers if given half a chance”. Running and fitness continued throughout his life, particularly alongside longtime friend, Gene Nelson. Acquiring his driver’s license proved to be more than he cared to manage, so he walked and pedaled his way around town, maintaining his daily fitness routines right to the end.

In 1969, a great heist changed Tom’s trajectory and sealed his fate: His brothers Billy and Michael stole him away from prep school and set off for Woodstock, joining the ranks of 460,000 others Tommy referred to as “the great unwashed”. It was cathartic. After experiencing the likes of Janice Joplin, Mountain, Canned Heat, The Who, and Sly & the Family Stone, Tommy smiled at Billy and said, “We’ve got to do that”. The brothers collectively decided to form a band and squander most of their young lives playing Rock & Roll.

Tommy was a top-notch singer by any measure, and an incredible bassist from the start, bordering on virtuosity. Music came easy for him - he draped a bass guitar over his shoulder and it was like he could already play it. In a month or two, he was playing for live audiences. A natural poet and gifted lyricist, Tommy crafted vulnerable songs as an emotional outlet for himself and connection to others.

The brothers covered songs and wrote lots of original music together. They played festivals, frat houses, and concerts, even living in a sort of musical commune for a time. Michael and Tommy played the club scene in New York City, and Tommy ended up in Texas, eventually hooking up with Scottish singer, Donovan, as the touring bass player for the band. Over the years, Tommy was part of several notable bands, including Round Oak, The Kip Meaker Trio (a.k.a. Wild Kingdom), Yo-Yo (featuring his youngest brother Richie), the hugely popular Bootless and Unhorsed, and numerous iterations of The Ward Bros band featuring so many other excellent local musicians. No genre was out of reach of his formidable talent, proven many times as he entertained his children, Leslie and Stetson, with his ability to pick up any bass line on the spot as they watched MTV. He produced some incredible solo original recordings along the way, and was proud to later share the stage with his son.

Not just a musical artist, Tommy was also gifted in gardening. As a side-gig, he founded Ward’s Planting, gracing residents and visitors of Chittenden County with vibrant annual displays. The colorful flower beds he planted all over the public spaces of Burlington, Williston, Essex, and beyond garnered lots of attention and won awards. He relished the phone calls from locals thanking him for beautifying their towns.

Tom was a fierce lifelong fan of the New York Giants and Yankees. He was known to launch into harsh diatribes in regard to his favorite sports teams, particularly aimed at the Giants.

A voracious and silver-tongued wordmonger, Tom was brutal with puns, which would be met with groans and guffaws. In fact, he was known to land 10-pun runs, and folks couldn’t help but get caught up in it with him. A lively raconteur with a caustic wit, Tommy regaled his listeners with clever stories and well-timed punch lines. He had a way of engaging any and all friends, acquaintances, and befuddled bystanders, for better or worse. He was genuinely curious about others, and this made him a keen interviewer. Although always searching for his next perfectly-timed line, he was a pretty good listener, too.

Thomas is predeceased by his parents, Richard Ward and Arlene (Hickey) Ward, and his brother, Michael Ward.

He is survived by his children, Leslie (and Earl) Camp, and Stetson (and Erin) Ward; grandchildren Caden Camp, Lane Camp, and Quinn Ward; great-grandchildren Wyatt Camp and Waylon Camp; brothers Billy Ward, David Ward, and Richie Ward; niece Meggan Ward; as well as his guilty secret companion, daytime soaps.

A musical celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 22, from 2-7 pm at VFW Post 6689, 73 Pearl Street, Essex Junction, Vermont, with food (potluck dishes also welcome) and an open jam session. Please bring your instrument, dancing shoes, and/or story in memory of Tom. Special thanks to Suzanne Lavallee and Mike Knox for coordinating this event.