Jeffrey "Jeff" Ward

Jeffrey “Jeff” Alan Ward, 66, of Mansfield passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 12, 2026 following the progression of metastatic pancreatic cancer.

The youngest of four children, Jeff was born in Willimantic, CT on October 27, 1959, to Clifford O. Ward, Jr. and the late Althea Stearns Ward. A 1977 graduate from Windham Regional Technical High School, Jeff could fix just about anything mechanical and worked in the automotive field for over 20 years before changing careers and working at the University of Connecticut for 23 years, retiring in 2022. Jeff turned his love for firearms into a very successful small business in Mansfield for the past 5 years. Jeff was an active member, usher and Trustee of the First Baptist Church of Mansfield and a member of the Eastern Connecticut Sportsman’s Club in Ashford. He was also a founding member of the OFC.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lisa (Newsome) Ward, his two daughters Brittany Kelton (Carl) of South Royalton, VT and Kendra Ward (Tyler) of Mansfield, his precious granddaughter, Charlotte Kelton, his father and stepmother, Clif and Vera Ward, and his sister, Linda LaClair (Doug). Jeff leaves behind several nieces, nephews and cousins, and countless friends – old and new. In addition to his mother, Jeff was preceded in death by his brothers, Kenny and Tom, and sister-in-law, Martha.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00am at the First Baptist Church of Mansfield, 945 Storrs Road, Storrs. A reception in the Fellowship Hall at the church will immediately follow the memorial service. A private burial will take place in the spring at the Mansfield Center Cemetery where Jeff will be laid to rest next to his mother and brother, Kenny. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Mansfield, 945 Storrs Rd., Storrs, CT 06268.