Ward Everett Earl,79, of Port Charlotte, formerly of Venice Florida passed away on May 27, 2025 at Tidewell Hospice in Venice, Florida.

Born in Portland Maine on March 1, 1946 to the late Everett and Beryl Earl, Ward graduated from Portland High School, class of 1964 and served his country in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1969. Ward worked for Verizon as a cable man for 26 years until retiring in 1995. In 1997 he moved to Venice, Florida and was employed by The Lake Venice Golf Club where he enjoyed golfing with so many friends.

Prior to moving to Florida, Ward lived in various locations around New England and was an avid lover of New England style seafood. He would give any food a try at least once. If you knew Ward well, you would never forget to offer ice cream.  He enjoyed fishing, and would be known to fish salt and freshwater, and enjoyed searching for random and secluded spots to enjoy nice weather. He would never shy away from attempting a home repair on his own and would often provide advice to the younger generation on the use of tools and ways to improve / modernize a home. As a meticulous wood crafter, he owned several fine detail saws and gadgets and would often do a great job replicating wood decorations and crafts commonly seen around Florida vendor fairs in his local area. Many of them were so beloved by relatives that he would often personalize a craft in his spare time and even mail them at his expense several states away. Ward often found humor via simple jokes and blunders, such as working on a home repair with a family member, and laughing hysterically over a mishap, such as miss cutting wood, or missing a stud with a screw, of course after warning you not to do so, with a sarcastic smile.

Ward would never pass up an opportunity to take a ride on a boat, as a Navy Veteran, he greatly enjoyed both fresh and saltwater boating around New England and Florida. Not initially fond of airplane travel, he was known to take long road trips to attend family functions out of state and followed a strict rule that 400 miles in one day would not be exceeded, so as to enjoy the experience and not rush along. In his final 15 years, he overcame his lack of interest in air travel and managed to vacation with family in places such as Aruba, Hawaii and the Bahamas.

He is survived by his loving wife Mary L. Earl; daughter, Keva Samataro and her husband Nathan of Florida, two sons, Kris and his wife Rachel of Massachusetts, and William and his wife Janay of North Carolina, nine grandchildren, Anthony, Kayla, Timothy and his partner Taryn, Miranda, Christopher and his partner Bianca, Sophia, Liam, Connor, Aiden, and two great grandchildren Aaliyah and Anthony; his sister Stacy and her husband Richard of North Carolina, along with several nieces and nephews from North Carolina, Maine, and Massachusetts.

Ward will be sadly missed by sisters in law Kit, Liz, Susan, Darlene and brothers in law Coleman and Edward of Massachusetts. Also, dear friends Dominic and Sandy Candelmo of Maine and Thomas and Joan Metz of Florida as well as so many extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister Patricia of Maine, his mother-in-law Jeanne, and brothers in law, Kenneth of Massachusetts and Barry of Maine.

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel.