Rockport - Rockport - Edward "Ward" Talbot passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 5th, 2025. He was born in Newark, NJ, on March 27th, 1933. After multiple moves throughout his childhood, his family settled in Plainfield, New Jersey, where he attended high school, excelling in football. He captained two undefeated Central NJ Championship teams. Ward later attended Tufts' University on a Naval Reserve Officer's Training Corps Scholarship. He was appointed Midshipman LT, Battalion Officer, and Company Commander, graduating in 1955 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and was assigned to the USS Myles C. Fox DDR829. He married his love, Nancy Jane Bowen, in October of 1955 in Gloucester. Together, they shared 66 years of marriage, having one daughter, Gail Elaine, in 1961. Ward went to work as a Mathematics Instructor and Assistant Football Coach at Roger's High School in Newport, Rhode Island. His football team was so successful from 1959-1982 that Ward was elected to the RI Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was appointed Principal of Rogers High School in 1985 and retired in 1986. In 1991, after a long and distinguished career in the Navy, Ward retired as Commanding Officer of the Naval Ship Research Center 101, holding the rank of Captain.

Throughout his life, Ward had an affinity for boats and boating as an active member in the Newport Yacht Club and the Sandy Bay Yacht Club in Rockport. He spent many happy years enjoying the sun and sea at Long Beach in Rockport. He could be found walking the seawall, playing early morning tennis matches with his many opponents up and down the beach, and relaxing on the railing of his covered porch. In the winters, he enjoyed taking day trips up north to go skiing. Ward loved his daughter, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and you would never see him smile wider than when one of his great-grandchildren was around. True to form with the way he lived his life, Ward remained fiercely independent in his final years.

He is survived by his brother, James Talbot II, and wife, Mary of Arizona. His daughter, Gail Haskell of Massachusetts. His grandchildren, David D'Angelo and wife Kellie, Brian D'Angelo and wife Kelsey, and Laura Watson and husband Christopher, all of Gloucester, as well as seven great-grandchildren, Jacob, Aria, Riley, Cora, Parker, Sawyer, and Penny. Ward also leaves his nephews, James Talbot III and wife Joyce, Scott Talbot and wife Jeanne, his Son-in-Law Sal D'Angelo, and wife, Diane Hofhaug, of Gloucester, niece Cheryl Olson, and great-nieces, Alexis Hendershot and husband Josh of Wiscasset, Maine, and Anastasia Lima of Augusta, Maine. Ward is predeceased by his parents, James and Helen Talbot, as well as his wife, Nancy.

His funeral service will be at the Campbell Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester, on Wednesday, June 11th at 11am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hour prior to the service from 10am to 11am. Burial will be at Locust Grove Cemetery, Rockport/Gloucester. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ward's memory to the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com