Stephen Albert Ward, 84, of New York City, NY, and East Greenbush, NY, peacefully passed away on May 21, 2026, at Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center in Troy, NY, surrounded by loved ones.

Stephen was born in New York City to Virginia and Albert Ward. He attended High School in Dutchess County, where he rode horses, dug his own swimming pool, and dealt with runaway cows.

He attended Haverford College, studying the classics, and then moved to NYC, where he taught shop classes, got very involved in the anti-Vietnam movement, and became a force for progressive change in America. He married Elie Ward in 1970 and celebrated the birth of his first child, a daughter, Sarah J. Ward, on September 13th, 1972. He took young Sarah on many marches as he fought for social justice. Stephen remained in NYC and had a successful career as a cinematographer, filming documentaries, feature films, and television commercials. This career took him all over the world, notably filming a documentary on the cosmonauts of Russia, prior to Russia opening to US tourism.

Stephen met and later married the love of his life, Bonnie Rose Johnson, a writer and editor for Time Life Inc. Together, they bought a raw loft space in the West Village and put blood, sweat, and tears into building a home for their family. They welcomed their son, Christopher Ward, in September 1983, raised him in this home, and remained there for four decades. Stephen was thrilled to have a son, and loved raising Christopher with Bonnie - going to ballgames, traveling on family trips, and constructing elaborate Halloween costumes for him (the family favorite was a complex and beautifully-sewn dinosaur, which Stephen created from scratch).

Stephen always put his family at the center of his world, playing with his grandchildren, taking care of them while his daughter was traveling for work, and knowing that the family and closeness that he fostered and built was one of the best legacies he could leave. In 2025, Stephen and Bonnie moved to Eddy Hawthorne Ridge in East Greenbush, NY, to be close to their beloved grandchildren and family.

Throughout his life, he fought for social justice and political change to help those more vulnerable and less privileged who had no voice. Stephen was funny and a wordsmith, known for his idiomatic expressions and wordplay. Even at the end of his life, he would joke with his caregivers to "stop pulling his leg". His dry sense of humor was well known, and he loved to make people laugh. Stephen also loved to cook, a passion he shared with his wife, and his homemade pasta was a family favorite. Music was a constant throughout the house, even while he cooked, and a huge part of Stephen's life. He grew up singing with his brother and sister and played multiple instruments. Stephen could often be found at Lincoln Center in NY, enjoying classical music performances or sitting in his favorite chair with the stereo turned up high, listening to classical recordings. He played the guitar, loved rock n roll, folk music, and the blues, and would sing with his children and grandchildren.

While Stephen and Bonnie spent only a few seasons at Eddy Hawthorne Ridge and Eddy Memorial prior to their passing, their children would like to express gratitude to this community for welcoming them in and providing such excellent, loving care.

Stephen is survived by his children, Sarah J. Ward of Old Chatham and Christopher J. Ward of Brooklyn, sister Kath Fraser of Cle Elum, Washington; daughter-in-law Mina McAllister; grandchildren Kian and Layla Ward, and Zeinab, Maila, and Ali Assi; nieces and nephews Jody Provine, Ian Fraser, and Liz Owen. He was predeceased by his brother, Mike Ward, and his loving wife, Bonnie Rose Johnson.

A private celebration of life will be held at the family's convenience and donations can be made in Stephen's honor at Equine Advocates, Chatham, New York. https://www.equineadvocates.org/

Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie, NY.